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South Korea national football team manager Hong Myung-bo answers questions during an official press conference at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 23 (local time), ahead of the team's third group stage match against South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. / Courtesy of Yonhap

South Korea national football team manager Hong Myung-bo stressed that entering a match with a mindset focused on merely securing a draw can backfire, shifting the pressure entirely onto his squad ahead of their crucial final group stage match against South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will determine their qualification for the Round of 32. He expressed a fierce determination to lock in a decisive victory to advance to the knockout stages.

South Korea opened their campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic but suffered a setback in their second match, falling 0-1 to host nation Mexico due to a critical defensive lapse. Despite the loss, South Korea remains in a relatively favorable position, needing only a draw against South Africa to finish second in the group and secure a spot in the Round of 32.

"Looking back at past World Cup campaigns, we frequently found ourselves in situations where we had absolutely no choice but to win to advance," Hong during a press conference held at Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, on June 23 (local time). "While our current situation is not bad, having the luxury of a draw does not inherently give us an advantage."

He went on to warn against complacency. "The moment players think a draw is enough, the match becomes inherently more difficult," Hong emphasized. "South Africa is a tricky opponent. We will prepare for this match with an absolute focus on winning, refusing to take our foot off the gas."

Addressing the squad's morale following the defeat to Mexico, Hong admitted that the atmosphere had naturally dampened compared to a post-win locker room, given that the team failed to deliver a result despite solid overall preparations. "However, it hasn't severely impacted our readiness," he noted. "The players have fully recovered both physically and mentally."

Expressing satisfaction with the performance against Mexico, Hong refrained from making heavy tactical demands. "What the players showed in the first two matches was more than enough. They have put their qualities on full display," Hong said. "Given the magnitude of this match, I simply told them to play with confidence and to trust one another on the pitch."

Regarding potential tweaks to the starting lineup, Hong hinted at adjustments. "There will likely be changes in two or three positions," he disclosed, fueling speculation about shifting Son Heung-min to a wing-forward role or deploying Jens Castrop as a wingback.

Meanwhile, local sentiment in Monterrey remains highly favorable toward the South Korean team. Mirroring the goodwill established during the 2018 World Cup in Russia when South Korea's victory over Germany helped Mexico advance, local fans have rallied behind the Taeguk Warriors. Additionally, Monterrey serves as a major hub for South Korean businesses.

"We are well aware that Mexican fans cheered for 'Korea' during our match against the Czech Republic, and we are deeply grateful. We also know many Korean companies and expatriates are based here," Hong said. "Having our players feel as though they are playing on home soil tomorrow is a massive gift. We will leverage that atmosphere to deliver a great performance."

Defender Kim Min-jae, who joined the press conference as the player representative, shared his tactical outlook. "South African players possess excellent technical skills and explosive pace, so our defensive unit is focusing heavily on neutralizing those threats," Kim stated. "If we execute our game plan as a cohesive unit like we did in the previous two matches, I am confident we can win."

Kim downplayed his role as a solo leader. "Within the team, I don't see myself as pulling everyone along from the front; rather, I view my role as pushing them forward from behind," Kim explained. "The most vital element is for everyone to play as one on the pitch, and that is what I keep stressing to the squad." He also spoke positively about his chemistry in the back three alongside Lee Han-beom and Lee Gi-hyeok. "The defenders in our back three lacked confidence and struggled a bit before arriving at the World Cup, but they have stepped up remarkably well since the tournament began. They are all highly capable players."

The final Group A match between South Korea and South Africa will kick off at Monterrey Stadium on June 24 (local time; 10:00 AM on June 25, KST).

                                                                                                        Cheon Hyun-bin