How Low Did They Rate Hong Myung-bo's Team? Japan Fans Were Stunned by the Performance Against Czechia, Saying It Was "Surprisingly Strong" [2026 FIFA World Cup]

[Financial News] Even Japan, South Korea's eternal rival and fellow Asian heavyweight, was stunned.
Football fans and major media outlets in Japan, watching South Korea's stubborn, relentless attack and dramatic comeback, offered candid praise mixed with shock and envy.
The South Korea national football team, led by Hong Myung-bo, defeated Czechia 2-1 in the Group A opener of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 12 KST at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico. It was the second match of the tournament overall and South Korea's first opening-game win at the finals in 16 years, since the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Japan also reacted strongly to the dramatic turnaround. Football Zone, a leading Japanese football media outlet, compiled real-time reactions from fans across the country and reported them in detail shortly after the match. According to the outlet, Japanese fans openly acknowledged South Korea's tactical edge. Through social media and other platforms, they praised Hong Myung-bo's side, saying, "Honestly, South Korea is much stronger than I expected," "Lee Kang-in's movement is completely sharp, so it's impossible to look away," and "Above all, South Korea plays football in a really fun and dynamic way."


The Taegeuk Warriors' relentless story of grit also struck a chord with Japanese media. Japanese sports outlet Getsaka took a deep dive into the backstory of Oh Hyeon-gyu of Beşiktaş J.K. (BJK), who turned the game around with a clever non-stop volley in the 35th minute of the second half. The outlet noted that "South Korean striker Oh Hyeon-gyu stepped onto the pitch despite suffering from a 38-degree fever the day before the match and, in terrible condition, produced a miraculous winning goal," adding that it was impressed by the resilience and focus that define South Korean football.
The coach's bold substitutions, which overturned a 0-1 deficit, and the class shown by the team's stars seem to have completely captivated even rival Japan. Riding a wave of momentum, Hong Myung-bo's side has effectively secured its place in the Round of 32 by breaking a 16-year opening-win curse. The Asian Tigers have now made their fierce quality clear to the world and to their rivals, and they will turn their sights on host nation Mexico on the 19th in a bid to clinch first place in the group.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter