'First-ever World Cup exclusion from starting lineup' Son Heung-min speaks honestly: "Is there anything I can say on my own..." [World Cup]

*This content was translated by AI.

Following a shocking defeat against the weakest opponent, South Africa, South Korea national football team captain Son Heung-min (LAFC) shared his heavy emotions. He also opened up about the humiliating situation of losing the chance to advance to the round of 32 on his own and having to wait for results from other groups.

The South Korea national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, lost 0-1 to South Africa in the final Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, on the 25th at 10 a.m. (Korea time). As a result, South Korea fell to third place in the group with one win and two losses (three points), placing them in a harsh position where they must compare their results with third-place teams from other groups to advance to the round of 32 tournament.

The biggest surprise of the day was Son Heung-min starting on the bench. This marks the first time in his career that Son Heung-min has been excluded from the starting lineup for a World Cup match.

After the match, when Son Heung-min entered the mixed zone, he was asked if he had any prior communication with coach Hong Myung-bo about sitting on the bench for the first time in his World Cup career. He let out a short sigh and said, "The coach did speak to me separately."

Regarding his feelings about having to watch the team lose amidst a tactical change, he cautiously said, "I'm not sure if there's anything I can say on my own," but then bowed his head, adding, "Watching the team lose from the outside, I feel very sorry for the players because I couldn't help much on the field."

In fact, even while sitting on the bench during the first half, when a hydration break was given, Son Heung-min approached his younger teammates on the pitch and seriously offered instructions, striving to fulfill his role as captain. Regarding this, Son Heung-min said, "I was thinking about how I could help the players more while watching the game. Actually, playing the match is hard, but watching from the outside is also very hard. Rather than saying many things to the players, I tried to offer as many simple and practical suggestions as possible."

He was substituted in at the start of the second half and played as a left attacker. Regarding the change in his role compared to the first two matches, he said, "The coach didn't give me any special instructions. Although I played in a different position, I know well where and how I should play. I always enter the field knowing my role without the coach needing to say anything."

When asked if the scorching heat with a high temperature nearing 32 degrees Celsius and high humidity at the venue negatively affected the performance, he firmly drew a line. Son Heung-min said, "I don't think it was due to the weather. We weren't the only ones playing in this weather. Since we all played under the same conditions, it's not a problem that can be solved by making excuses about the weather."

Additionally, Son Heung-min added, "Right now, realistically, we need to calmly and thoroughly assess what went wrong as a whole."

He also strongly denied claims from some quarters that the team's sharp decline in performance was due to a poor atmosphere. He said, "There was absolutely no problem with the team's atmosphere. I can speak honestly. Everyone clearly put in their effort, but since the game didn't go as planned, it's very disappointing, upsetting, and heartbreaking. I'm sure I feel the same way, and the players must be feeling the most upset right now."

Now, the fate of Hong Myung-bo's team has completely fallen into the hands of other countries. Regarding the absurd situation of having to wait for the last-chance ticket, which is given to the top eight third-place teams, Son Heung-min expressed deep regret.

He said, "It's an ironic situation whether I should call it regrettable or a pity. Personally, I didn't want to wait for results from other groups. It's disappointing that such a result came out despite the hard work of many players, but now it's a matter beyond our control. Whatever the outcome, I think we have to accept it," as he left the mixed zone with a bitter expression.

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*This content was translated by AI.