Hong Myung-bo Admits Responsibility for Poor Performance, Yet Says He Is Unsure of the Cause

[Anchor]

After returning to the base camp, head coach Hong Myung-bo held a press conference, but he left behind a statement that is difficult to understand, saying he does not quite know the cause of the defeat. There was no explanation for the key questions we wanted answered: why the team did not play aggressively while trailing, and why the players' movements were so sluggish.

Lee Jeong-Chan reports from Guadalajara.

[Reporter]

Following the nightmarish defeat against South Africa, the players returned immediately to the Guadalajara base camp, with the shock of the previous night still visible on their faces.

Most began training with heavy expressions, and even a day later, head coach Hong Myung-bo appeared flustered, stating that he had not yet properly identified the cause of the poor performance.

[Hong Myung-bo/Head Coach of the National Football Team: Honestly, it is true that we are a bit bewildered as to why this happened so suddenly. I don't think we have found a clear answer yet.]

He drew a line regarding suspicions that there might be internal conflict within the team, similar to the 2024 Asian Cup.

[Hong Myung-bo/Head Coach of the National Football Team: I don't think there is any problem within the squad at all. I think this is the first time I have participated in a World Cup where things are not chaotic both inside and outside the team.]

While suggesting that the players' impatience to win or the extreme heat in Monterrey could be factors in the decline in performance, he ultimately took responsibility as the head coach.

[Hong Myung-bo/Head Coach of the National Football Team: I told the players, 'If you have nothing else to blame, blame me.' Even though the players are trying their best out there, ultimately, it is the coach's responsibility.]

In a humiliating situation where our fate is decided by the results of other groups, coach Hong vowed to reorganize the team without giving up hope for reaching the Round of 32.

[Hong Myung-bo/Head Coach of the National Football Team: We have about 3 to 4 days left, and we must find a way to make things right. I believe we have to make it happen.]

We cannot change the past.

We must start by recovering our exhausted bodies and minds.

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

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