Hong Myung-bo Holds Press Conference Day After Shock Defeat; Explains '3rd Place in Group'

[Anchor]

National football team head coach Hong Myung-bo stood before the press again just one day after the team's shocking loss to South Africa in the North and Central America World Cup. While he cited difficulties in adapting to the heat in Monterrey as a reason for the poor performance against South Africa, he was unable to provide a clear analysis.

Reporter Cho Min-ki has the story.

[Reporter]

After returning to their base camp in Guadalajara following the shocking defeat to South Africa, the national team focused on recovery training.

Unlike the usual lively atmosphere, the players trained in a subdued mood.

Meeting with the press again for a wrap-up conference after the three group stage matches, head coach Hong Myung-bo described the failure to secure a spot in the Round of 32 due to the loss against South Africa as the "worst-case scenario."

[Hong Myung-bo/Head Coach of the National Football Team: It seems we have headed toward the worst of our scenarios. And it is true that yesterday's match was the worst among the three games we have played so far.]

Regarding the lackluster performance against South Africa, he pointed to a failure to adapt to the heat in Monterrey as one of the reasons.

[Hong Myung-bo/Head Coach of the National Football Team: As I tried to find reasons, not many came up. So, I think we struggled because of the environmental factors.]

However, he could not provide a clear answer regarding the sudden decline in performance.

[Hong Myung-bo/Head Coach of the National Football Team: There wasn't a big difference in the players' physical condition or anything like that, but they looked very slow. It is really not easy to find the reason for that right now.]

He added that since the possibility of advancing to the Round of 32 still remains, he would regroup the team at the base camp.

[Hong Myung-bo/Head Coach of the National Football Team: I don't know if we will be able to play one more match, but we have to do our best to prepare over the next 3 to 4 days.]

The national team plans to take a day off tomorrow to recover both physically and mentally.

(Video reporting: Hwang In-seok, Video editing: Kim Jun-hee)

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