At the start of the FIFA World Cup in Russia, Korean national football team manager Shin Tae-yong hinted he had a trick up his sleeve that would surprise everyone. He may have been referring to his decision to start goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, who was the third-string keeper going into the tournament.
Jo blocked all 26 of Germany's shots -- including six on goal -- in Korea's defeat of the world's No. 1 side in Kazan on Wednesday. His stellar performance and two injury-time goals from Korea brought the team a memorable win. Jo was named the Bud Man of the Match by FIFA. "It was the entire nation that made the saves, rather than myself," Jo said modestly after the match.
Jo, who wears the No. 23 jersey, was not the starting goalkeeper on Korea's World Cup roster. He made his international debut just seven months ago when he replaced Kim Seung-gyu in a friendly against Serbia.
But he proved his potential and was thrust into the spotlight after Korea's last group-stage match, which turned out to be its last of the tournament as Korea was eliminated with one win and two losses.
Jo was the most mentioned player in tweets with the hashtag "#KORGER." Someone cheekily edited his Wikipedia page to include a description of him as "the Mexican Savior or the one true god," referring to the fact that Mexico were able to advance to the next stage as Germany was beaten 2-0.
Fans were also touched to learn that Jo has a tattoo of his wife's face on his right arm and that he makes a video call to his 3-year-old daughter every day while in Russia.
Rumors are already swirling that major international clubs plan to approach Jo. One big obstacle to a signing, however, is that he has not yet fulfilled his mandatory military duty and must enlist by September next year. If selected as a wild card entry for the Asian Games in Indonesia in August, and Korea wins gold, he will be exempted.
Jo's K-League team, Daegu FC, are enjoying their keeper's newfound global fame. "Jo's signature uniforms are selling like hotcakes," said a team official. Thanks to his eye-catching hairstyle and pale complexion, he has already been offered some cosmetics commercials.
Jo is set to return to Korea with the national team on Saturday, and will make his first post-World Cup appearance against FC Seoul in Daegu on July 8.
