Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the Korea men's national soccer team leading the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America, said on the 25th (Korea time), "We did our best until the end, but the disappointing result is my responsibility as the coach."

South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo looks out over the pitch during the Group A third-round match between South Korea and South Africa at Estadio de Monterrey in Mexico on the 24th (local time) in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup group stage. /Courtesy of News1

In a postmatch interview after the Group A third-round group stage game against South Africa at Estadio de Monterrey in Mexico on the morning of the day, Hong said, "After conceding first, the players were impatient in managing the game." He added, "Still, I think the players did their best."

With the loss to South Africa, Korea dropped to third in Group A, making a berth in the round of 32 knockout stage uncertain. Seemingly mindful of that, Hong also said, "I don't know what the schedule will be going forward."

On substituting Kim Min-jae (30, FC Bayern Munich) while trailing 0-1 in the second half, he said, "He had a calf injury, so we made the change."

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