(LEAD) Former nat'l team reserve shines with winning goal vs. Czechia

ZAPOPAN, Mexico, June 11 (Yonhap) -- At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, South Korean forward Oh Hyeon-gyu was a non-roster training partner, an up-and-comer who got his first taste of the big tournament, however indirectly, in workouts with the rest of the team.

On this June night in Mexico, Oh stormed into the national football lore by scoring the go-ahead goal that lifted South Korea past Czechia 2-1 in their first Group A match of the competition.

Oh broke the 1-1 deadlock in the 80th minute at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico. He had come on in the 69th minute to replace captain Son Heung-min as the striker, and made the most of his limited action on the pitch.

Oh Hyeon-gyu of South Korea celebrates after scoring against Czechia during the teams' Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, Mexico, on June 11, 2026. (Yonhap)

The 25-year-old forward for Besiktas enjoyed a solid first season for the Turkish outfit, netting eight goals in 16 matches in all competitions this past season. With Son struggling to find the back of the net for Los Angeles Football Club, it was not a stretch to say Oh had the best form among South Korean attackers entering the World Cup.

However, Oh didn't think he would even be able to play in Thursday's match.

Oh revealed afterward he had a fever that reached 38 C earlier in the day and it was only thanks to the help of the team's medical staff that he even had a chance to be the hero.

"I can't even describe these feelings," Oh said in a televised interview. "I am so grateful just to have a chance to play at the World Cup. Thankfully, the coach gave me a chance to take the field and I was able to score a goal that helped us win. I feel very fortunate."

Oh Hyeon-gyu of South Korea (R) scores past Czechia goalkeeper Matej Kovar during the teams' Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, Mexico, on June 11, 2026. (Yonhap)

In the mixed zone afterward, Oh told reporters he is "a much different player now" than four years ago.

"I had a close look at how some veteran guys competed four years ago, and that helped me stay calm and play the way I am capable of playing," Oh said. "Over the four years, I've become much more skilled and I feel more confident battling European defenders. I had the conviction that I could score."

"Honestly, I don't remember anything," he said with a smile. "I had to watch the highlight to see how I scored."

It was fitting that Oh subbed in for Son in the second half. In Qatar, Son was playing through a facial injur