ESPN: "Hong Myung-bo's shocking gamble to exclude Son Heung-min backfired catastrophically"

*This content was translated by AI.

The decision by Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the South Korean national football team, to exclude Son Heung-min (LAFC) from the starting lineup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup match against South Africa has left major international media outlets unconvinced. While player selection is the exclusive authority of the coach, criticism was added that if Hong made such a decision to exclude Son Heung-min, he should have proven that the choice was undoubtedly correct.

Global outlet ESPN, on the 26th (Korea time), highlighted that "Hong Myung-bo's shocking gamble to exclude Son Heung-min from the starting lineup for the South Africa match produced only a catastrophically negative effect," noting that "it was not a desperate situation requiring a bold tactical move, yet Coach Hong made the unexpected choice to exclude Son Heung-min from the starting lineup."

In reality, South Korea could have advanced to the Round of 32 with just a draw in the final Group A match against South Africa, held the previous day at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico. Considering that South Africa was the team that absolutely had to win, a tactical choice to exploit that vulnerability was necessary, yet Coach Hong decided to exclude Son Heung-min from the starting lineup. This marks the first time in history that Son Heung-min has been excluded from a World Cup starting lineup.

The outlet reported, "As everyone confirmed, the result of excluding Son Heung-min after 90 minutes was by no means positive for South Korea," adding that "after suffering a shocking defeat against South Africa, South Korea dropped to third place in the group and now must compare its results with third-place teams from other groups to determine whether it will advance to the Round of 32."

ESPN stated, "Of course, Coach Hong Myung-bo likely had his own reasons for (excluding Son Heung-min from the starting lineup)," noting that "a coach certainly has the authority to make bold decisions, and above all, no player can be greater than the team."

However, it emphasized, "But if the player in question is Son Heung-min, who is revered as a national hero in South Korea, the story changes. If he decided to exclude Son Heung-min from the starting lineup, Coach Hong Myung-bo must have proven through the result that his choice was correct."

The outlet explained, "Son Heung-min was brought on at the start of the second half, but South Korea conceded the first goal in the 18th minute of the second half, and ultimately that goal decided the match. In the final moments of the game, South Korea launched countless crosses into the box, but they lacked the creativity or precision needed to break down South Africa's defense."

It continued, "Son Heung-min also failed to create the creativity that South Korea desperately needed. In hindsight, he might have needed to start from the beginning," adding, "Coach Hong Myung-bo made a major gamble in an important match where South Korea's advancement to the Round of 32 was at stake. That gamble not only failed but produced only a catastrophically negative effect."

Having lost 0-1 to South Africa and dropped to third place in Group A, South Korea is now evaluating its chances of advancing to the Round of 32, which are granted to the top eight third-place teams among the 12th groups. However, as of the 26th, the group stage matches for the six groups from Group A to Group F have concluded, and South Korea is ranked fifth among the six third-place teams. If even half of the remaining six third-place teams have better records than South Korea, Coach Hong's team will have to return home immediately.

In an interview the day after the defeat against South Africa, on the 26th, Coach Hong Myung-bo explained, "Considering Son Heung-min's physical burden from playing primarily with sprints in the first two matches, which disrupted the opponents' defensive spaces, and the hot weather, we intended to bring him on later," adding, "Through meetings with the player, he was fully aware of his role. While it is difficult for both the player and the team to be evaluated solely based on goals, Son Heung-min has always performed his duties well by creating space."

He further added, "We must rebuild the team somehow. It is not over yet. If we compose ourselves well during the remaining period and achieve good results in the Round of 32, the players will be able to receive applause again."

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*This content was translated by AI.