Czech Republic national football team coach Miroslav Koubek finalized tactical plans on Thursday to neutralize South Korea captain Son Heung-min ahead of their Group A opening match at the World Cup.
The match marks the Czech squad's return to the tournament after a 20-year absence.
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Koubek dismissed the pressure surrounding the team's long-awaited return, expressing complete confidence in his strategic blueprint to counter the heavily favored Asian offensive lineup.
"I do this job since so long that this kind of things does not make me nervous," he said.
The current Czech squad relies heavily on a combative, physical approach to secure results against highly technical opponents.
This tactical pivot followed a difficult qualification period where Koubek took charge after a loss to the Faroe Islands, eventually leading the team through the playoffs.
Koubek praised the 33-year-old South Korean attacker, describing him as a true legend and acknowledging him as the primary offensive threat for the opposition.
Despite the danger, the manager reasserted trust in his defensive players based on their experience against elite global talent.
"Everything will depend on the tactics and how we exploit our strengths," said Koubek.
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The coach emphasized that disciplined execution remains the absolute priority for his players on the pitch.
Following this opening fixture against South Korea, the Czech Republic is scheduled to face South Africa and tournament co-host Mexico in subsequent group stage matches.
"We must absolutely show discipline and respect our strategy during the match," Koubek added.
According to reports, the 34-year-old South Korean forward utilizes highly specialized equipment to maximize his on-field performance.
Son customizes his football boots across three distinct sizes to adjust for minor daily physical changes.
The South Korean captain has worn customized Adidas footwear throughout his career milestones, including his first World Cup goal against Algeria in 2014 and a 50-meter sprint against Germany in 2018.
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For his fourth World Cup appearance, the forward is equipped with ultra-lightweight, 130-gram F50 Hyperfast Elite laceless boots designed for speed.
