Manchester United's coach who assisted Ferguson said, "Too strong opponent for South Korea and South Africa."

*This content was translated by AI.

Analysts said that the South Korean national soccer team's strength is too strong for the South African national team. René Mulrestin (Dutch), the current head coach of the Iraqi national soccer team, who assisted Alex Ferguson as a coach for Manchester United in the past.

According to South African media IOL on the 15th (Korea Standard Time), coach Mulrestin recently said in an interview with Cassinostugarn, "South Africa's 2026 FIFA North American World Cup is focused on whether they can win even one game." He analyzed that he would be too strong an opponent for the South African national team to face.

Coach Mulrestin said, "I don't think South Africa can win (as well as South Korea) as Mexico plays at home," adding, "In the European playoffs, Denmark is likely to pass among Denmark, Ireland, the Czech Republic and North Macedonia, but even they will be dominant against South Africa. (From South Africa's point of view, this World Cup will be really, really difficult)," he predicted.

In fact, South Africa ranked 61st in FIFA rankings as of last month, far lower than South Korea (22nd) and Mexico (15th). Not only Denmark (21st), but also most of the teams in the European Playoff Pass D. North Macedonia (66th) is ranked lower than South Africa, but it is difficult to overcome the European playoff gateway due to its objective power. In fact, it deserves to be classified as the weakest in Group A.

In particular, South Africa was eliminated early in the first gate of the round of 16 tournaments after barely passing the group stage at the recent African Football Confederation (CAF) Africa Cup of Nations. Although it is an unknown opponent that has never faced South Korea, the prevailing view is that it deserves to be classified as the weakest in Group A in its recent history.

Citing coach Mulestin's interview, IOL also said, "We can't deceive South African fans. It will be extremely difficult for South Africa to pass the group stage at this World Cup, which is consistent with the view of former Manchester United coach Mulrestin, he added. "Coach Mulrestin analyzed that South Korea and Mexico are too strong for the South African national team." The match between South Korea and South Africa will be held in the final group match of the World Cup.

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*This content was translated by AI.