Gue-sung Cho

Makes reserve impact at Mexico

Cho logged two shots (one on goal) across 13 minutes during South Korea's 1-0 loss Thursday at Mexico.

Analysis: Cho personifies how a lot can happen between World Cups. After their 2022 edition, when the striker became a first-choice forward, he was deemed an elite prospect worthy of European competition. Cho earned a transfer to Midtjylland, but the move has been followed by inconsistent form, especially for Korea. He is Korea's third-choice striker, behind veteran Heung-Min Son and a younger Oh Hyun-Gyu. Needing a game-leveling goal and with both forwards either subbed on or off the matchup, Cho entered it as well. In front of goal against Mexico, it was he who threatened the opposing defense more than either Son or Oh. Cho headed an accurate cross from Eom Ji-Sung, and the subsequent shot resulted in Jose Rangel's best save against Korea. Cho's other shot, ball crossed by Lee Kang-in, was deflected out for a corner.