South Korea, big mistake denounced at the World Cup
For his much-discussed choice in the country of not having started Heung-min Son against South Africa (1-0 defeat), the South Korean coach is targeted by critics.
After a good start and a victory against the Czech Republic (2-1), South Korea completely missed the rest and end of its group stage of the 2026 World Cup. Myung-bo Hong’s men thus suffered two defeats in a row, the last of which on the night of Wednesday to Thursday against South Africa (1-0). The coach has since been accused by his country’s specialist press of not having properly managed Heung-min Son’s playing time.
A true star of his selection, the former Tottenham striker did not start against “Bafana Bafana”. A surprising choice on the part of his coach who visibly noticed his mistake and brought him on just after half-time (46th). Without effect since the player was muzzled by the South African defense and was practically never able to show himself. Regardless, the South Korean sports press did not let what they considered to be a big tactical error go unchallenged.
The media Sports Donga mentioned this famous “daring bet” attempted by Myung-bo Hong, recalling that Heung-min Son found himself a substitute in a World Cup match for the first time in his career. The thirty-three-year-old man, who now plays for Los Angeles FC, himself tried to explain what was going on in his coach’s head, in comments relayed by Foot Mercato.
Heung-min Son on the bench, it’s causing talk in South Korea
“He spoke to me in private (…). I don’t know if I can say anything. (…) He did not give me any particular instructions (at the time of its entry into play). (…) For now, with complete objectivity, we must calmly and thoroughly assess what went wrong in a global way. » Other South Korean media commented on this famous decision to leave Son on the bench at kick-off, like Sport Chosun which described it as
“surprising”recalling in passing the
“controversy” that had already sparked the replacement of Son just before the hour mark in the second match lost against Mexico (1-0).
At the end of its first round, South Korea no longer has its destiny in its hands. Third in group A with only three points and a negative goal difference (-1), she is crossing her fingers in the hope that other third-placed teams will have a worse record, in order to secure one of the eight best third-placed places allowing them to reach the round of 16.
