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FIFA World Cup
Hong left superstar Son Heung-min out of his starting line-up for his side's final group match in Monterrey.
After a bright start for the East Asian side, South Africa were the better team, showing greater invention and a sharper cutting edge. Thapelo Maseko's second-half strike proved the difference between the two teams.
After a bright start for the East Asian side, South Africa were the better team, showing greater invention and a sharper cutting edge. Thapelo Maseko's second-half strike proved the difference between the two teams.
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Wednesday's defeat in Mexico is a shocking reversal of form for Korea Republic, who started their campaignin style, coming from behind to beat the Czech Republic 2-1.
A 1-0 defeat against co-hosts Mexico put them under pressure but they were still favourites to progress to the last 32 when they took to the pitch against South Africa.
A 1-0 defeat against co-hosts Mexico put them under pressure but they were still favourites to progress to the last 32 when they took to the pitch against South Africa.
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"We always talk about just the results," said Hong. "In terms of the process of preparation and how we can put that onto the playing field, that is something that I had thought about.
"Of course, if we had known the results already beforehand, then I probably would have made some different choices, but I had a strategy in mind."
The tactician said the result was his responsibility.
"Ultimately, it comes down to me," he said. "I guess I made the wrong decisions and that was the reason why we had a bad result. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Of course, if we had known the results already beforehand, then I probably would have made some different choices, but I had a strategy in mind."
The tactician said the result was his responsibility.
"Ultimately, it comes down to me," he said. "I guess I made the wrong decisions and that was the reason why we had a bad result. Nothing more, nothing less."
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Hong explained he had left forward Son out of the starting line-up so he could hurt South Africa later in the match.
"We thought that Son Heung-min would be better-placed when they were losing their energy, and when we could see more spaces. That's why we wanted Son to be at his strongest, and the opponent to be a bit weaker."
Despite their loss, Korea Republic still have an outside chance of qualifying for the last 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams from the group phase.
Source: AFP
"We thought that Son Heung-min would be better-placed when they were losing their energy, and when we could see more spaces. That's why we wanted Son to be at his strongest, and the opponent to be a bit weaker."
Despite their loss, Korea Republic still have an outside chance of qualifying for the last 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams from the group phase.
Source: AFP
