Coach Hong Myung-bo of the Korea men's national soccer team said on the 19th (Korea time), "The goal we conceded is regrettable, but all our players gave their best."
Hong said this after a 1-0 loss in the Group A second match of the group stage against Mexico at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, earlier in the day.
Korea created several scoring chances against Mexico but failed to finish, and lost after conceding in the 50th minute on a defensive mistake.
On a high cross from the opponent, goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu came out to catch it, but during his landing he tangled with Lee Gi-hyeok, and Mexico turned the loose ball into a goal.
Hong said, "The result is very disappointing, but overall our players did well in preparation," adding, "We prepared well for Mexico's characteristics."
On the mistake, he said, "I don't know exactly how the call went in that moment," and "It seems the error came as they bumped into each other."
On being pushed back early in the first half, he said, "We expected them to press very hard from the start," adding, "Even if we lost the ball, where we lost it mattered."
He continued, "We judged it would be dangerous if we lost the ball in key areas for them and suffered short counters," adding, "At least until the 20th minute of the first half, we said we must not concede, and the players kept that well."
Hong said, "After that, the rhythm shifted to us," adding, "We led the play itself and controlled the game."
Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu expressed regret about the conceded goal. Meeting reporters in the mixed zone right after the match, he said, "I should have focused more in the conceding situation, but I didn't, and that changed the result like this."
He said, "The ball was in the air, and I judged only our teammates were around, so I tried to come out safely and catch it, and that led to this result," expressing regret.
He said, "Call play also requires quick judgment depending on the situation. My call might not have been heard clearly, and several factors combined in that moment."
On what followed in the match, he explained, "We had to keep playing, so we said let's forget it quickly, and we told each other that if we held firm at the back, the forwards would produce one."
He said, "Among the players, we also said let's not let the mood drop," adding, "There's still one match left, and we think we're in a slightly more favorable situation."
Defender Kim Min-jae also said, "The signal just didn't quite match on the conceding play, and mistakes can happen anytime," adding, "Let's not make a big deal of it and focus a little more on the next match."
He said, "As with the Czech match, the players did well today," adding, "Some parts that didn't quite fit right before the World Cup have noticeably improved as we entered the finals."
He went on, "We are showing much better performance than before," adding, "The South Africa match certainly won't be easy, but we must win."
Forward Cho Gyu-seong, who created scoring chances, also expressed regret. He said, "I had two chances, and I absolutely should have scored the first one, but I didn't, so it's disappointing."
He said, "I was instructed (by Coach Hong) to battle a lot inside the box and press hard 1-on-1 when defending," adding, "The coach put me on and a good chance came, and I should have finished it," again expressing regret.
He said, "Among the players, we said we absolutely have to win the third match," adding, "We must win." The South Africa match will be held at 10 a.m. on the 25th at Monterrey Stadium.
Regarding the upcoming match against South Africa, Hong said, "Their key player cannot play, but that isn't what matters," adding, "That aspect could actually lift their mentality."
He said, "I watched both of their matches, and South Africa has good speed," adding, "We need to prepare well for those aspects."