Son Heung-min's Five Misses Shock Bettors as Korea Survive Czech Scare

Son Heung-min missed five clear chances in South Korea's nervy 2-1 victory over Czechia, raising immediate questions about backing Korea's captain as an anytime scorer in their crucial match against co-hosts Mexico on 18 June.

The Tottenham forward, who entered the tournament just two goals shy of Korea's all-time scoring record, endured his worst performance in a Korea shirt for years. Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu proved the unlikely hero with an 80th-minute winner after Korea had surrendered the lead to a Ladislav Krejci header from a long throw-in.

Son Heung-min's Shocking Misses Create Betting Dilemma

Korea's captain wasted five chances in the first half alone, a statistic that will send shockwaves through betting markets where Son typically trades as Korea's shortest-priced goalscorer.

The 31-year-old remains on 56 international goals, still chasing Cha Bum-kun's record of 58. His failure to convert against Czechia's defence marks his worst finishing display at a major tournament.

Impact on Anytime Scorer Markets

Son's misses weren't marginal. He spurned clear opportunities from inside the box, including two one-on-ones that Korea's talisman would typically bury. For a player who averaged 0.65 goals per game in qualifying, this represents a dramatic drop in clinical edge.

The betting implications are immediate. Son will likely remain Korea's shortest-priced scorer against Mexico, but his Czechia performance suggests backing alternatives like Lee Kang-in or Hwang In-beom offers better value.

Set-Piece Vulnerability Exposes Korea's Defensive Weakness

Korea's inability to defend set-pieces nearly cost them all three points. Czechia's goal came from a long throw-in, with Krejci rising unchallenged to head home in the 59th minute.

Czechia's Near-Miss From Another Set-Piece

Tomas Soucek thought he'd restored Czechia's lead with a 77th-minute header from a free-kick, only for the offside flag to spare Korea's blushes. The pattern was clear: Korea cannot handle aerial threats.

This weakness creates a specific betting angle for their Mexico clash. El Tri possess superior height and set-piece delivery, with Raul Jimenez and Santiago Gimenez both threats in the air.

• Korea conceded two headed chances from set-pieces
• Both Czechia goals (one disallowed) came from dead-ball situations
• Mexico averaged 1.8 goals from set-pieces per game in CONCACAF qualifying

Super-Sub Oh Hyeon-gyu Changes Korea's Betting Dynamic

Manager Paulo Bento's decision to hook Son Heung-min proved inspired. Oh Hyeon-gyu needed just 10 minutes to score what his captain couldn't manage in 70.

The Celtic striker's goal came from close range after Hwang In-beom's pullback, but his movement and finishing stood in stark contrast to Son's earlier profligacy.

Hwang In-beom Emerges as Dual Threat

Hwang's performance deserves special attention from bettors. The midfielder scored Korea's equaliser with a brilliant curled effort before turning provider for Oh's winner.

Hwang In-beom cut inside before curling a right-footed shot low into the far corner.

His ability to arrive late in the box and create from deeper positions makes him an intriguing bet for goal or assist markets at longer odds than Korea's forwards.

What Happens Next

Korea face co-hosts Mexico on 18 June in what becomes a group-defining fixture. Mexico's 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa puts them level on points with Korea, setting up a winner-takes-all scenario for group supremacy.

The betting angles are clear: Son Heung-min's reliability is in serious question, Korea's set-piece defending invites backing Mexico's aerial threats, and Oh Hyeon-gyu's impact off the bench creates value in the substitute scorer markets. Smart bettors will adjust their Korea positions accordingly before odds shift to reflect these new realities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Son Heung-min score against Mexico? Son missed five clear chances against Czechia, his worst finishing display at a major tournament. While he remains Korea's most likely scorer on paper, his current form suggests backing alternatives offers better value at longer odds.

When does South Korea play Mexico at the World Cup? South Korea face Mexico on 18 June in their second Group A match. Both teams have three points after winning their openers, making this a crucial fixture for group positioning.

Who scored for South Korea against Czechia? Hwang In-beom equalised with a curled effort in the 67th minute before substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the winner in the 80th minute. Captain Son Heung-min failed to score despite five clear chances.

What are South Korea's defensive weaknesses? Korea struggled badly with set-pieces against Czechia, conceding from a long throw-in and nearly allowing another from a free-kick header. Their inability to defend aerial balls creates a specific vulnerability Mexico can exploit.

Is Oh Hyeon-gyu in South Korea's starting XI? Oh Hyeon-gyu came off the bench to score against Czechia after replacing the misfiring Son Heung-min. His impact makes him a strong candidate to start against Mexico or provide another game-changing substitute appearance.

How many goals has Son Heung-min scored for South Korea? Son Heung-min has scored 56 goals for South Korea and needs two more to equal Cha Bum-kun's all-time record of 58. His failure to score against Czechia keeps him waiting for this milestone.