"Venting anger at Japan? It only pushes the day when Korea becomes a 'rival' again further away" — Japanese media's sharp criticism

*This content was translated by AI.

"If you vent your anger at Japan, the day when we return to being 'rivals' will only grow further away."

Japanese media offered sharp criticism regarding some public opinion in South Korea that blamed other countries for the South Korean national football team's elimination from the Round of 32.

Japanese outlet Kokokara reported on the 29th, "As match results in other groups did not unfold as South Korea desired, including Japan's 1-1 draw with Sweden in Group F, resentment toward other nations began to surface in South Korea."

In this 2026 FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup, South Korea lost 0-1 to South Africa in the final Group A match on the 25th (Korea time), finishing third in the group with 3 points and a goal difference of -1. For the following three days, South Korea pinned its hopes on other group matches to advance to the Round of 32 by finishing within the top eight among the 12 third-place teams. However, on the 28th, when the Democratic Republic of the Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 in Group K, South Korea's elimination was confirmed.

With nine possible scenarios, only three would have allowed South Korea to reach the Round of 32, yet all but one resulted in outcomes unfavorable to South Korea. In particular, Germany, which South Korea had expected to win, lost 1-2 to Ecuador, and Japan drew 1-1 with Sweden. It is true that some voices in South Korea expressed regret toward other nations under these circumstances.

In response, Kokokara reported, "Some South Korean media outlets questioned the player deployment by Japan's coach Hajime Moriyasu, who fielded 39-year-old veteran Yuto Nagatomo in the match against Sweden, labeling Japan as 'unhelpful' and asking, 'Did Japan not intend to win?'"

Nevertheless, the outlet noted, "The reaction from South Korean fans was cold." It added, "Comments on social media included responses such as 'I am ashamed as a Korean,' 'There is no obligation to play football for other countries,' and 'Why are we expecting help from Japan?'"

Furthermore, citing the opinions of Park Ji-sung and Ahn Jung-hwan, who pointed out the realities and problems within South Korean football, the outlet stated, "They seem to want to say, 'If we rely on Japan's or other countries' results, there is no future.'" It concluded by emphasizing, "In the past, South Korea was feared as the 'strongest in Asian football,' but merely venting anger at Japan to soothe the shock of defeat will only push the day when they return to being 'rivals' further away."

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*This content was translated by AI.