"The starting lineup will change," Coach Hong Myung-bo declares... "Only victory is on my mind" [Q&A from the World Cup site]

*This content was translated by AI.

Hong Myung-bo, the head coach of the Hong Myung-bo era, fired his final shot for the group stage's final match in Monterrey, the land of the decisive battle.

Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the South Korean national football team, stated at the official press conference for the South Africa match held at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, at 2:30 p.m. local time on the 23rd, "If we approach the match with a casual mindset that a draw is acceptable, we may actually face great difficulties. We will prepare for the final match with the mindset of never giving up and definitely winning."

South Korea and South Africa will play the final 3rd match of the 2026 FIFA CONCACAF World Cup Group A on the 25th at 10 a.m. (Korean time) at Estadio BBVA. Currently ranked second in the group with one win and one loss (3 points), South Korea will secure its place in the Round of 32 tournament on its own if it achieves only a draw in this match, according to the head-to-head principle.

Coach Hong hinted that he would make tactical diversions by changing two or three positions in the starting lineup ahead of this match.

-What is your resolve for tomorrow's match.

"As you mentioned, the most important match for Korea remains. The second match was not bad in terms of overall game management, but we failed to bring about the desired result. It is true that the team's atmosphere is somewhat lower than when we won, but it has not fallen as much as one might worry. Both physically and mentally, we have fully recovered. The preparation process leading up to the final match also proceeded calmly as usual."

-There are many Koreans in Monterrey (question from a Spanish-speaking reporter).

"I am well aware that the relationship between Korea and Mexico is good. I know that Mexican fans cheered for South Korea during the previous Czech match, and I am sincerely grateful for that. In particular, I understand that many Korean companies have advanced to this Monterrey and that many Korean residents live here. Being able to fight with the energy of a home ground in tomorrow's match is a tremendous gift for the players. We will make good use of this advantage and show a good game."

-It is a match where conceding a goal would be fatal. Moreover, the weather in Monterrey is very hot.

"The environment is completely different from Guadalajara, where we played previous matches. Both humidity and temperature are high, so there will certainly be parts where players struggle physically. It is not easy to adapt perfectly to 100%, but we had already grasped the weather conditions in Montersey in advance. Just as we adapted to the high altitude in Guadalajara, we have thoroughly prepared for this heat as well. Players may feel it is hot, but there should be no major problem in playing the match."

-A draw is enough to reach the Round of 32, but if you win, it will be the first time advancing with two wins in the group stage since the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.

"I did not ask the players to do anything extra just because it is the final match. The way the players performed on the ground during the first and second matches was enough for me to be fully satisfied. Since this is the last match of the group stage and the most important one, I will tell the players to approach the match with greater confidence and belief based on what they have shown so far."

-There were no major changes in the starting lineup in the previous first and second matches. Will there be changes in the lineup for the South Africa match.

"There will be changes in the starting lineup for about two or three positions."

-This place, Monterrey, is the promised land where Korea wrote the legend of reaching the semi-finals in the 1983 Mexico Youth World Cup. Can it give positive energy to the team.

"Honestly, I did not know that history well. I would be truly happy if this final match for the team becomes a joyful opportunity and history like 1983. I hope Monterrey will be remembered as a place that was full of another great gift for Korean football."

-Two key players of South Africa (Mokoena, Zwane) are out due to suspension. The atmosphere is high on South Korea's chances of reaching the Round of 32. If there is a message to the players.

"It seems that Korea has never faced such a favorable set of circumstances before a World Cup third match. There have always been many situations where we had to win unconditionally. It is true that this is not a bad situation for Korea, but that does not mean it provides any special practical help to our game performance. On the contrary, matches of this nature are the most difficult for a coach and are also tricky to face. If the players approach the match with a casual mindset that they will advance just by drawing, they may actually face great difficulties. We will prepare for the match with the mindset of not giving up and winning."

-This is your second World Cup as a coach. It is a final match where you can wipe away the regrets of the 2014 Brazil tournament and restore your honor, or you may fail.

"It is now 2026. I am embarking on a new challenge with the current players. The past is not important to me. Repaying past failures or restoring personal honor is also completely unimportant on this current stage. I will simply do my best in the current role I have undertaken as the head coach of the South Korean national team. Whatever the result in the final match, as a coach, I will take full responsibility for that result. I have never thought about personal feelings or the meaning the World Cup holds for me, and it is not important. I will only think about the team's victory."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.