South Korea recovered from an early setback to claim a 2-1 victory against the Czech Republic in their World Cup Group A opener on Thursday. A substitute scored the decisive goal in the 80th minute. The Korean captain missed several opportunities before the Czech captain headed his side ahead from a long throw in the 59th minute. Eight minutes later, a Korean midfielder equalized with a chip over the goalkeeper. A Czech header from a free kick was disallowed for offside in the 77th minute. Shortly afterward, the same midfielder set up the winner with a low cross that the substitute converted from close range. Co-host Mexico leads the group following a 2-0 win over South Africa and will face South Korea in Guadalajara next week, while the Czech Republic plays South Africa in Atlanta.
