South Korea reacts after defeating Czechia during the World Cup Group A soccer match in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday(local time). AP-Yonhap
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — On the heels of their opening victory at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, South Korea received some encouraging news on the injury front on Friday.
Defender Kim Tae-hyeon, dealing with an ankle injury that some feared could keep him out of the group stage, will be available as early as next Thursday for South Korea's second Group A match against Mexico.
Kim picked up the injury during a training session Tuesday at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, and a national team official told reporters the next day that the left-footed center back may miss the entire group stage -- which ends on June 24 for South Korea.
However, Song Jun-seob, the senior team doctor, said Friday that Kim's injury wasn't serious as once feared.
