Mexico match narrow loss → National team atmosphere 'no abnormality'... Coach Hong Myung-bo's 'special management' [World Cup on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

After the disappointing second group stage match of the 2026 North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup against Mexico, the South Korean national football team immediately began the recovery process for the next match.

The South Korean national team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, held recovery training on the morning of the 19th (local time) at the Chivas Verde Valle training ground in Zapopan, Guadalajara.

The atmosphere at the training ground was not depressed. The South Korean national team players approached training with generally bright expressions, as if trying to shake off the previous day's defeat. Before the training officially began, scenes were captured of coach Hong Myung-bo gesturing on the field while passionately delivering messages to the players.

Today's training was conducted in two groups based on the previous day's match playing time and fatigue levels. Key players who started the match against Mexico and spent a long time on the field wore sneakers instead of football boots and walked lightly around the adjacent pitch. Afterward, they focused on loosening tight muscles by riding bicycles.

In contrast, the remaining players who played for a short time in the Mexico match or sat on the bench without playing participated in normal training sessions. They began with the Rondos ball-passing program, followed by coordination training to improve body balance, stretching, and other exercises, sweating as they went.

The goalkeepers, including Cho Hyun-woo and Song Beom-geun who have not yet played in this tournament, actively maintained their match readiness by conducting cross-blocking and lateral pass defense training with training partner Yoon Gi-wook. A Korea Football Association official explained, "We are not conducting any special tactical training today; the session will conclude with a typical recovery training system."

Meanwhile, the South Korean national team will enjoy a sweet rest starting from the afternoon of the 19th. This follows coach Hong Myung-bo's management policy to prevent psychological fatigue and boredom among players due to the long-term training camp.

A Korea Football Association official told reporters, "When long-term training camps continue for over a month, players tend to experience a biological rhythm characterized by some depression and boredom. To prevent this, we plan to provide free time starting this afternoon so they can meet with family members who have arrived at the location, share meals, and spend time together."

Instead of staying out overnight, the players will return to their accommodation to sleep. The free rest period is planned to continue until the evening of the 20th.

The official added, "Since all the players are professionals, they are managing their bodies well according to their own styles. We expect this rest and motivation to serve as good fuel for the final match against South Africa."

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*This content was translated by AI.