"Korea, lost identity with or without Son Heung-min" — Foreign media pinpoint 'lack of tactics'... "What tactics did the coach even devise?" criticism

*This content was translated by AI.

Major foreign media outlets have cast doubt on the identity of Hong Myung-bo's team.

Sports specialist 'The Athletic' reported on the 25th (Korea time) that "the South Korean national team has lost its identity regardless of whether ace Son Heung-min plays."

The South Korean 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 North American qualifiers, held at Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, on this day.

With one win and two losses (three points), South Korea fell to third place in the group, eliminating their chance of direct qualification for the round of 32. In this tournament, the eight best-performing third-place teams advance to the knockout stage. Consequently, South Korea must now wait for the results of other teams.

The media reported, "As the final whistle blew, South Korean players collapsed onto the field. Lee Kang-in was visibly dejected, while Son Heung-min stood with a stern expression, accepting the defeat."

It further criticized the team's performance, stating, "South Korea could have played the round of 32 as if it were a home game in Los Angeles (LA), where the Korean community is large, had they secured even a draw. However, they played poorly."

While acknowledging Son Heung-min's solid status, the media offered a biting critique. "Son Heung-min is a symbol of South Korean football. But now, even he is no longer an irreplaceable figure," it conveyed.

On this day, coach Hong Myung-bo excluded Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung from the starting lineup for tactical reasons. Instead, he deployed Hwang Hee-chan, Oh Hyeon-gyu, and Lee Kang-in as a trio of strikers. However, the bold tactical change yielded no effect. Lee Kang-in remained silent after just one shot in the early first half, while Hwang Hee-chan and Oh Hyeon-gyu showed no presence throughout the first half.

Eventually, coach Hong Myung-bo brought on Son Heung-min at the start of the second half. However, Son Heung-min managed only 29 touches of the ball. After the match, coach Hong Myung-bo explained, "We aimed to maximize Son Heung-min's strengths in the spaces between the defensive lines when the opponent's stamina waned." However, the media pointed out a tactical positioning issue, stating, "Son Heung-min's ball touches were concentrated solely in the central area, where he has recently struggled."

The media also criticized the South Korean national team's lack of tactics. "Since reaching the semifinals in 2002, South Korea has been unable to break through the round of 16 barrier. Considering the talent they possess, they have repeatedly missed matches they should have won," it noted, adding, "It remains unclear what tactical plan coach Hong Myung-bo devised both inside and outside the field. The South Korean national team still has not identified its own identity," delivering a painful critique.

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*This content was translated by AI.