When Jo Hyeon-Woo emerged as a surprise first-choice goalkeeper for South Korea in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, his name was relatively unknown outside of the country. However, his outstanding performances, including a heroic match-winning display against Germany, put him in the spotlight and hinted at a promising future. Fast forward to January 2024, and things haven't quite gone according to plan. Nevertheless, Jo reminded everyone on Tuesday that he can still be a hero on the big stage.
In a round of 16 match against heavyweight contenders Saudi Arabia at the AFC Asian Cup, South Korea managed to equalize in the 99th minute, forcing a 1-1 draw. With neither team finding a winner during extra time, the game was to be decided by penalties. It was here that Jo Hyeon-Woo showed his brilliance, making two impressive saves to deny Sami Al-Najei and Abdulrahman Ghareeb, and securing a remarkable escape for his side.
But even before the shootout heroics, Jo had already demonstrated his focus and skill. Despite being relatively uninvolved in the latter stages of the match, he made a crucial save to deny Abdullah Radif right at the end of extra time, when South Korea's defense had been caught off guard on a counterattack. This performance mirrored the monumental efforts he displayed against Germany in the 2018 World Cup. Jo made a series of world-class saves that left the German team bewildered, ultimately contributing to South Korea's stunning 2-0 victory over the defending champions.
Remarkably, Jo wasn't even expected to feature in the World Cup. Kim Seung-Gyu and Kim Jin-Hyeon were the more experienced goalkeepers, with Kim Seung-Gyu being the first choice throughout the Asian qualifiers. Jo, on the other hand, had only six caps and played for a lesser-known team, Daegu FC. His inclusion in the starting XI was a stroke of genius from then-coach Shin Tae-Yong, and his performances generated speculation of a potential move to Europe.
However, Jo's career took a different path. He never made it to Europe and remained in South Korea, eventually joining Ulsan HD in 2020. Although he celebrated team success, including an AFC Champions League triumph, Jo found himself often watching from the bench as Jo Su-Huk was preferred in continental competitions, reaching the final without Jo's significant involvement.
While Jo's career has not been unsuccessful, it has not quite matched the grand expectations set after his standout performances in the World Cup. He has an ACL winner's medal, two K League titles, and an impressive seven consecutive appearances in the domestic competition's Best XI. But in both the 2018 World Cup and the recent AFC Asian Cup, he was not originally slated as South Korea's first-choice goalkeeper. However, fate intervened, and Jo Hyeon-Woo once again proved his worth, contributing to his team's stunning comeback against Saudi Arabia and keeping their hopes alive of winning their first Asian Cup since 1960.
