On June 26, Hong addressed reporters at a press conference reflecting on the group stage. He recalled the preparation process following the group draw, saying, "After the draw on December 3, I realized we would be playing in high-altitude and hot, humid conditions in two challenging cities. I decided to focus our preparations on the high-altitude venues for our first two matches."
Looking back, he expressed disappointment over the second match against Mexico, stating, "If we had earned points in that game, we could have approached the third match differently. Unfortunately, we ended up in the worst-case scenario."
The South Korean team struggled against South Africa, unable to cope with their rapid counterattacks. Players appeared sluggish compared to their performances in the first two matches, and their coordination was lacking.
Hong attributed this to the extreme heat in Monterrey, saying, "When looking for reasons, not many emerged. I believe the environmental factors played a significant role in our difficulties." This suggests that players who had previously played in the milder climate of Guadalajara faced challenges adapting to Monterrey's heat.
He noted, "Data shows that while the distance covered was slightly less than in the Mexico match, the high-intensity running was somewhat more. Physically, there wasn't a significant difference from the Mexico game, but it was hard to explain why the players appeared so slow."
Hong also mentioned psychological factors, stating, "The players seemed overly eager to perform well and win decisively. This pressure, combined with the extreme heat, likely affected their performance."
He added, "We prepare for dozens of scenarios before a match, but unexpected situations can arise. While players must adapt, ultimately, the responsibility lies with the coach."
Looking ahead, he said, "If we advance to the round of 32, we have about three or four days to prepare. We will do our best to get ready."
Regarding Son Heung-min, Hong remarked, "I believe Son always fulfills his role. However, the evaluation of his performance often hinges on whether he scores, which can be challenging for both him and the team."
Meanwhile, after a comeback victory against the Czech Republic in the first match and a narrow loss to host Mexico in the second, Hong's team now finds itself in a precarious position after the defeat to South Africa, making their advancement to the round of 32 uncertain.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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