6 Offsides, 2 Shots on Target: A Frustrating Offensive Performance

[Anchor]

Although we held more possession than Mexico, our attack remained stagnant throughout the match. The first shot on target did not come until the 42nd minute of the second half, and only one more followed shortly after. We were also flagged for offside six times, which repeatedly disrupted our momentum.

Seo Dae-won reports.

[Reporter]

In the 16th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min received a pass from Lee Kang-in and delivered a clinical shot that nearly found the back of the net, but it was ruled offside.

The national team actively looked to exploit the space behind the defense, but their flow was broken time and again by offside calls.

There were many instances where players crossed the offside line by just a narrow margin.

With four offsides in the first half alone and six in total, this matches the record for the most offsides in a single match among the 48 nations in this World Cup, alongside Tunisia and Uruguay.

After conceding, head coach Hong Myung-bo launched an all-out offensive, bringing in attacking resources one after another, including Hwang Hee-chan and Oh Hyeon-gyu, followed by Yang Hyun-jun, Eom Ji-sung, and Cho Gue-sung. It was not until the 42nd minute of the second half that the first shot on target came from Cho Gue-sung's head.

That shot, followed immediately by another from Yang Hyun-jun, were both saved by the goalkeeper, marking the only two shots on target recorded in today's match.

The set-piece plays that the team had meticulously prepared were also not utilized effectively.

The team struggled to draw fouls from Mexico in dangerous areas, and the only two set-piece opportunities came from late corner kicks in second-half stoppage time, both of which failed to produce a result.

[Cho Gue-sung / National Football Team Forward: It is very disappointing. As a forward, I should have scored in those situations, and I feel very regretful that I couldn't. The players will prepare well, and we must win the third match.]

Despite leading in possession 51% to 40%, the team ultimately failed to score. With a spot in the Round of 32 on the line, precise tactical execution to improve finishing will be even more critical in the upcoming match against South Africa.

(Video Editing: Chae Cheol-ho)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.