No need for Korea to fear Mexico

South Korean players warm up before a training session for the FIFA World Cup at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, Mexico, Monday(local time). Yonhap

South Korea heads into the Lion’s Den to take on Mexico in Guadalajara late Friday morning Seoul time. Since the draw was made for the 2026 World Cup in December, all knew that this would be the toughest game. It is a journey that is not as daunting as it could have been as the Taeguk Warriors have three points in the bank after the 2-1 win over the Czech Republic at the same stadium last week.

It means that, with a final game against South Africa still to come next week, Korea is in a good position. Had the opener ended in a loss, and with the Czechs taking the lead that was a possibility before Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeong-gyu scored, then the team would have desperately needed a result against Mexico and been under real pressure. Now, a draw would be fine and even a defeat, as long as the performance was OK, would not be the end of the world or the World Cup.

A win however, would be spectacular and a real statement against a Mexican team ranked 13 in the world, eight above Hong Myung-bo’s men. It would mean that Korea become the first team at the tournament to secure a place in the Round of 32 (remember, there are 12 groups of four in this World Cup that has been expanded to 48 teams).

There’s more.In all the past 11 World Cup appearances, Korea has never defeated a team from the Americas –north, central or south. Now would be a perfect time to end that unwanted record, meaning that the team could start planning for the knockout stages with time to spare and even think about resting some players in the final game against South Africa.

Mexico also started with a win, a 2-0 victory over the Africans, who, with two players red carded, didn’t really trouble the host. Korea has the pace to get behind the Mexican defense in a way that South Africa was unable to. Hwang In-beom was imperious last week, scoring and making one and setting the tempo. Son Heung-min missed a number of chances and if Korea is to go far then he needs to be at his best.

There is a familiar figure in charge of the Mexicans. Javier Aguirre had six months in charge of Japan in the middle of the previous decade before being let go after he was indicted in Spain for alleged match-fixing. He has also coached Lee Kang-in at Real Mallorca in Spain.

The locals in Guadalajara have been welcoming to Korean fans and the players but that atmosphere will change when the game kicks off. The pressure is on the home team however. Supporters will be expecting a win and that provides opportunities as well as dangers.

Whatever happens it will be a tougher game than last week’s. The Czechs were slow and lumbering and that will not be the case this time. Even so, coach Hong needs to shore up the defense which looked very vulnerable to set pieces.

Korea is going to have to be careful not to get pushed back too much by the skilful Mexican attackers, Julian Quinones was the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League this season ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, and need to try and get forward as much as possible.

There’s no reason to fear Mexico however and a win would make headlines around the world.