The South Korean national soccer team kicked off its 2026 North and Central America World Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic. The team demonstrated superiority in both performance and result, leading Vietnamese soccer fans to commend South Korea's competitiveness against European teams. Following the match, Vietnamese netizens shared various reactions regarding South Korea's current standing and the growth of Asian soccer.
On June 12, local time, Vietnamese media outlet VnExpress reported that South Korea's win against the Czech Republic became a hot topic in online communities and article comment sections among Vietnamese soccer fans. Many comments focused on the quality of South Korea's performance rather than just the win, highlighting the team's ability to take control against a European opponent.
Immediately after the match, local fans concentrated on South Korea's performance. One widely supported opinion noted that South Korea did not merely win but controlled the entire game. A netizen remarked, "From the first half, South Korea was either equal to or dominating against the Czech Republic," adding, "South Korea and Japan are too strong teams in Asia." Another user commented, "The Czech Republic was not bad, but South Korea performed better with almost no individual mistakes, showcasing World Cup-level play," stating that "South Korea can compete with the world's top teams."
Interest in South Korean soccer has increased in Vietnam, thanks to the impressive results and leadership of coaches Park Hang-seo and Kim Sang-sik, who has been leading the Vietnamese national team since 2024.
Hwang In-beom, who contributed one goal and one assist, was named the match's Most Valuable Player (MVP) by FIFA. One fan noted, "It was expected that South Korea would win against a mid-tier European team like the Czech Republic," adding, "Hwang In-beom managed the game very calmly." There were also voices praising the mental strength displayed during South Korea's comeback. One user stated, "Despite conceding a goal to a European team in the 58th minute, the South Korean players remained composed," noting that turning the game around in less than 20 minutes demonstrated the indomitable spirit of the Taeguk Warriors. They further added, "South Korea's chances of advancing to the Round of 16 look very bright."
Reactions also highlighted the overall competitiveness of Asian soccer. One fan claimed, "Asian soccer is significantly narrowing the gap with Europe," while another expressed hope for the success of Asian teams, mentioning, "Teams like South Korea and Japan are consistently achieving results." Comments comparing Southeast Asian soccer to South Korea's performance garnered significant attention, with one user stating, "Watching South Korea play, it seems difficult for Southeast Asian countries to win against them."
Some fans assessed that South Korea's organization and game management skills are a step above other Asian nations. They noted that South Korea has qualified for the World Cup finals for 11 consecutive tournaments and has many players active in European leagues.
However, there were also cautious voices. One user remarked, "With the current strength, it will be difficult for Asian teams to reach the quarterfinals," acknowledging that a gap still exists with strong European and South American teams. Another user commented, "The Czech Republic and South Korea played a relatively balanced game, but South Korea's finishing ability was superior," stating that the East Asian team secured valuable three points.
Meanwhile, with this victory, South Korea has secured three points alongside host nation Mexico, enhancing its chances of advancing from the group stage.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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