A report from the national team stated that Kim Tae-hyun suffered an ankle injury during a private training session held behind closed doors the day before. On the same day, he carried out personalized strengthening activities independently within the indoor gym. It is said that he sprained his left ankle while engaging in a 'rondo,' which is a type of ball-passing exercise. According to medical evaluations, Kim may not be able to take part in the three group-phase games at this World Cup.
According to FIFA rules, squads are allowed to swap out injured athletes for replacements within 24 hours prior to their initial World Cup game. Nevertheless, since it was confirmed that Kim Tae-hyun would be able to participate starting from the Round of 32, the squad chose not to bring in a replacement for him.
The South Korean national team entering this World Cup has drawn attention for its unreliable defense, which remains a major vulnerability. This issue has worsened with repeated injuries to crucial defenders. Kim Joo-sung from Hiroshima, who played a vital role in Hong Myung-bo’s lineup, was excluded from the final selection because of his injury. Similarly, Cho Yu-min of Sharjah had to pull out during a friendly game against Trinidad and Tobago in Salt Lake City, USA, last month following an injury.
Due to Kim Tae-hyun being sidelined, Lee Ki-hyuk of Gangwon is set to take up the role of left defender in the three-defender system during the encounter with the Czech Republic. Lee made an impression during the game against Trinidad and Tobago through his offensive efforts and precise passing, yet faced difficulties when facing strong opposition in the match against El Salvador. Additionally, there's a chance that Park Jin-seop from Jeonbuk might step into the lineup instead. If this happens, Park would likely serve as the central goalkeeper, allowing Kim Min-jae to shift to the defensive back position.
Besides Kim Tae-hyun, midfielder Bae Joon-ho from Stoke City is also anticipated to have difficulty participating in the match against the Czech Republic. Bae sprained his ankle following an aggressive slide challenge in the game versus Trinidad and Tobago. Since then, he has been undergoing individual rehabilitation efforts, and even on the day prior to the encounter with the Czech Republic, he was observed riding a bicycle independently rather than attending the team's practice session. It is expected that Bae will be fit for the subsequent match against Mexico.
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