[Anchor]

For captain Son Heung-min, the match against South Africa marked the first time he has started as a substitute in a World Cup. Son expressed self-reproach following the team's defeat.

Reporter Yoo Byung-min has the story.

[Reporter]

Having led the attack as a starter in 12 consecutive World Cup matches since the 2014 Brazil tournament, the match against South Africa, where he began on the bench, was an unfamiliar experience for Son Heung-min.

[Son Heung-min/National Football Team Forward: The coach did speak to me about it (being left out of the starting lineup). It is difficult to play in the match, but it is also very difficult to watch from the sidelines.]

Nevertheless, he did his best in his role as captain, encouraging and advising his younger teammates.

[Son Heung-min/National Football Team Forward: Rather than telling the players too many things, I tried to give them the simplest advice I could, and I think that’s what I did.]

Son began warming up late in the first half and stepped onto the pitch at the start of the second. He worked hard to target South Africa's goal, but struggled against the opponent's tight marking, showing a frustrated expression several times.

After the final whistle blew, confirming a shocking defeat with only one shot recorded, he held his head in distress.

[Son Heung-min/National Football Team Forward: I feel very sorry that I couldn't help the team more on the pitch while watching us lose.]

He did not make excuses regarding the fact that the entire squad appeared sluggish.

[Son Heung-min/National Football Team Forward: We are not the only ones playing in this weather; we played in the same environment as the opponent, so it is not a matter that can be blamed on that.]

He also emphasized that there was no internal discord within the squad, unlike what surfaced during the previous Qatar tournament.

[Son Heung-min/National Football Team Forward: The players are likely the most upset, and I am the same. I can honestly say that there are absolutely no problems with the atmosphere or anything like that.]

He stated that he would now calmly await the team's fate, which is in the hands of other teams.

[Son Heung-min/National Football Team Forward: Personally, I did not want a situation where we had to wait to see if we would advance (to the Round of 32) in third place. Since it is out of our hands, I think we have to accept whatever result comes, and that is what we must do.]

(Video Editing: Kim Jin-won)