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‘Bundesliga starter’ Castro, tied to the bench, is Hong Myung-bo’s tri…

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‘Bundesliga starter’ Castrop tied to the bench, is Hong Myung-bo’s trick or a secret weapon?

Written on: June 21, 2026 | Column by current affairs critic specializing in IT/media

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벤치에 묶인 ‘분데스리가 주전’ 카스트로프, 홍명보호의 계륵인가 비밀병기인가
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With the Taegeuk Warriors' journey toward the 2026 North and Central America World Cup in full swing, the name that has emerged as the hottest potato among soccer fans is, ironically, Jens Castrop, who is guarding the bench rather than the stadium. Many experts and fans are raising doubts as to why he, who was highly anticipated as a starter for Monchengladbach in the German Bundesliga, has not been able to play even a single minute in the World Cup finals. The mystery of 'Kastrov's failure' hidden behind coach Hong Myung-bo's firm tactical belief has become the biggest controversy surrounding the current national team and a sore finger for our soccer ahead of the final match against South Africa.

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Castrov carries the symbolism of being the first foreign-born mixed-race national team player in Korean soccer history. Not simply because of his background, but as an all-weather resource capable of playing everything from midfielder to winger and wingback, he was evaluated as a key option to take responsibility for Hong Myung-bo's tactical variables in this World Cup. However, when I opened the lid, his name was not only excluded from the starting list for both the Czech Republic and Mexico games, but was also excluded from the substitute list. Some are speculating that he may have been completely excluded from coach Hong Myung-bo's tactical plan, and his bench presence, which contrasts with the fierce fighting spirit he shows at the training ground, is further adding to the fans' frustration.

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After the defeat in Mexico, the voices of criticism became stronger. Many soccer experts, including commentator Park Joo-ho, point out that Castrop's offensive talent and ability to dominate the midfield could be the key to breaking the current frustrating trend of the game. In particular, considering the situation in the match against Mexico where the side defense's attack participation was low and the build-up was not smooth, his penetration ability and diverse attacking options, proven in the Bundesliga, would certainly have been an attractive alternative. However, coach Hong Myung-bo did not choose change in the end, and this is not just a matter of tactical choice, but is also spreading into criticism of the coach's stubborn player management style.

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Criticism from the public, including comedian Kim Shin-young, is even touching on skepticism about Director Hong's past actions, saying 'people don't change'. It is pointed out that Coach Hong's style of sticking to his own plan rather than responding flexibly to the opposing team's tactics is causing 'secret weapons' like Castrov's to be lost in this World Cup. Commentator Park Moon-seong also criticized Son Heung-min's isolation and lack of creativity in the midfield, and questioned why they did not try to change the flow of the game by inserting Castroov. In the end, Castrov's 0-minute appearance was not simply a matter of an individual player, but a symbolic incident that put coach Hong Myung-bo's leadership and entire tactical philosophy to the test.

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Now all eyes turn to the final group match against South Africa to be held on the 25th. Korea can confirm its advancement to the round of 32 with just a draw in this game, but a clear win is needed to restore confidence in its performance and achieve a higher goal of first place in the group. If Castro does not get a chance even in this game, it is clear that there will be a strong backlash against the very reason why he was selected. On the contrary, if he proves his worth by taking the field against South Africa, it could put to rest all the controversy and become a new driving force for advancing to the tournament.

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■ Conclusion and analysis outlook

Jens Castrop is now Hong Myung-boho’s ‘sore finger’ and ‘last puzzle’. The longer he stays on the bench, the deeper fans' distrust of the national team grows, and the thirst for performance grows. The match against South Africa will be more than just a game that determines whether or not the team will advance to the round of 32, it will be a test to show whether coach Hong Myung-bo can read the changing trends of modern soccer and make flexible tactical responses. The moment Castro shows his true value on the pitch, the real challenge in this World Cup will begin.

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