Czech Stronghold Not Favored by Former Stalwart: "It's a Blight on Football, But That's Today's Style"

The Czech football team's start to the 2026 World Cup didn't go as planned. After captain Ladislav Krejčí's goal, they led against South Korea for only eight minutes. Tomáš Souček could have put them ahead again, but his goal from a set-piece was disallowed for offside. Then, the opposition struck. The Asian team snatched victory in the 80th minute.

It didn't have to end that way; substitute Michal Sadílek could have equalized in stoppage time, securing at least a point for the Czechs. However, in the grand scheme of things, the result was likely fair, with statistics favoring their opponents.

South Korea boasted an Expected Goals (xG) factor of 2.3, compared to the Czech Republic's mere 0.83. The Koreans also dominated possession (61% to 39%), outshot their rivals (15:7), and created more big chances (4:1).

Speaking to ŠPORT.sk is Tomáš Hübschman, a long-serving defensive stalwart not only for the Czech national team (58 caps/1 goal) but also for Sparta Prague, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Jablonec. Since the beginning of this year, he has been an integral part of Slovak club football, serving as the sporting director for MFK Ružomberok.

How do you assess the Czech team's tournament opener?

"The result wasn't favorable, and it was probably deserved. South Korea was the better side. The Czechs only posed a threat from long throw-ins and set-pieces. We scored from one of those, and another goal was disallowed for offside. Overall, in terms of play, the quality was more on the opponent's side, whether in speed, technique, or their work with space and the ball. In all those aspects, the Koreans were on a higher level."

Do you consider aerial play and long balls a strong weapon for the current Czech squad? After all, they have two 'towers' up front, whether it's Patrik Schick or Tomáš Chorý, who replaced him in this match.

"Absolutely. They've never hidden the fact that their biggest weapon would be aerial play and set-pieces. At the same time, I don't think anything in this style should change for the upcoming matches. The team is generally quite tall, and if there are smaller players, they also have their role. But as I said, the overall expectation of how the team will present itself is clear."

Ladislav Krejčí scored from Vladimír Coufal's long throw-in, which flew almost into the center of the six-yard box. Adam Hložek nearly scored from a similar situation. What do you make of these almost unbelievable throw-ins? They're arguably even better than a corner kick…

"I'll put it this way, as I see it – long throw-ins are a blight on football. But of course, they are part of today's style. Iceland probably popularized it the most, being the first to really utilize it. For a tall team with a player who can throw the ball a long distance, it's a huge weapon. As you say, sometimes it might even be better than a corner or a wide set-piece."

Which Czech players impressed you, and from whom did you expect more?

"I wouldn't say some names in the starting lineup surprised me, but perhaps I could have imagined other players there. Of course, it's always the coach's decision. Some players maintain their standard, plus the impact of substitutes was visible. For example, Hložek has quality, which he showed a few times.

Overall, however, I wouldn't want to individually praise or criticize players too much. Unfortunately, it didn't work out as a team. If we had held on for at least a draw, I think it would have been positive for us. This way, at certain points, it reminded me of the EURO 2024 match against Portugal, where we also led 1-0 but lost the game in the end, also 1-2."

How do you see the Czech team's prospects for the remaining group stage matches? With the current tournament format, it's possible to advance even from 3rd place.

"I believe in the lads. I watched the opening match of the championship between Mexico and South Africa, and I hope the Czech team handles their next game against the Africans. And thanks to that, they'll advance from the group."

During the championship, the Czechs will travel over 4,500 kilometers. They are based in a Dallas suburb, but two matches will be played at high altitudes in Mexico. How do you view the travel the team must undertake and the overall conditions they are exposed to?

"Everyone knew what they were getting into after the draw, what complications awaited them, and they had the opportunity to prepare for it. I think they are doing everything now to cope with it as best as possible and be ready for the matches.

It's necessary to adjust the schedule and do things that might not otherwise be needed, but I think nowadays it's not such a problem, and everything can be coordinated."