'Five-Nil' Hong Myung-bo's Squad to Face Paraguay on the 14th

0-5. The numbers were brutal. The match against Brazil, a 'high-level mock exam,' forced Hong Myung-bo's squad to confront a harsh reality.
Just four days later, at 8 p.m. on the 14th, the team will return to Seoul World Cup Stadium. The match against Paraguay is no longer just a 'friendly.' In the aftermath of the crushing defeat, it is a crucial test where the team must turn the tide, as well as an opportunity to regain trust ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Coach Hong Myung-bo conducted bold tactical experiments against Brazil on the 10th. He deployed a three-back line centered around Kim Min-jae and opted for a daring setup with no defensive midfielder. The outcome was disastrous. It was the first time in nine years that Korea lost by more than five goals in an A-match. Although Hong Myung-bo described it as a 'meaningful experiment to test tactics for the finals,' fans shook their heads. The collapse of the current organization was more painful than any discussion about the future of the three-back system.
Given these circumstances, the match against Paraguay is truly a do-or-die battle. With the shock of the Brazil defeat still lingering, another lackluster performance at home would undoubtedly worsen public sentiment. This match is not just about changing the mood; it is also a test of trust in the Hong Myung-bo regime and could determine Korea's fate in the World Cup pot draw. Currently ranked 23rd in the FIFA rankings, Korea is at the edge of Pot 2. If they lose to Paraguay, they risk dropping to Pot 3, overtaken by 24th-ranked Republic of Ecuador and 25th-ranked Australia. This would increase the likelihood of being drawn into a 'group of death' with stronger teams at the World Cup finals.
Paraguay is ranked 37th by FIFA but is by no means a weak team. In the South American qualifiers, they secured a direct ticket to the finals by earning points against powerhouses such as Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, finishing sixth. Twenty-one-year-old midfielder Diego Gómez of Brighton & Hove Albion and Miguel Almirón, who played for Newcastle United Football Club for six years before moving to Atlanta United FC in MLS, are key players in the attacking midfield. Both scored a goal each in a recent friendly against Japan on the 10th, leading the team to a 2-2 draw.
After the Brazil match, the national team continued closed training sessions at the Paju National Football Center (NFC), focusing on rebuilding their organization. Can Hong Myung-bo's side turn the nightmare of the 10th into cheers on the 14th? Once again, the night at Seoul World Cup Stadium will put the fate of Korean football to the test. Jeon Sang-il