South Korea came back from a goal down to snatch a thrilling 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in their World Cup Group A opener on Thursday, substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu grabbing the winner in the 80th minute.Korea captain Son Heung-Min wasted a number of decent chances in a lacklustre first half, in which both teams were jeered as they left the field, before his Czech counterpart Ladislav Krejci broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 59th minute by heading home from a long throw-in.But the lead was short-lived as Hwang In-Beom kept his cool to dink the equaliser over the keeper eight minutes later.Tomas Soucek thought he had put the Czechs back in front with a header from a free kick in the 77th minute but the goal was chalked off for offside, and less than three minutes later the Koreans went ahead as Hwang turned provider, pulling the ball back for Oh to fire home from close range in a match played in front of hundreds of empty seats at Guadalajara Stadium.Let by star forward Son, South Korea controlled possession and outshot the Czechs, who were making their first World Cup appearance since 2006.Hwang In-beom (right) dinks in a clever equaliser for South Korea in the 67th minute. Photo: EPAThe Koreans, ranked 25th by Fifa, had most of the significant scoring chances against the 38th-ranked Czechs but failed to capitalise early.
Hwang In-beom stars as South Korea snatch 2-1 win over Czechia in World Cup opener
Koreans control possession but waste numerous chances before falling behind, but Hwang scores and then turns provider.
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