[Anchor]

Following the painful defeat, other national team players also bowed their heads in despair. Lee Kang-in, who played full time for three consecutive matches, vowed to reflect on the performance and work harder to ensure such a game is not repeated.

Pyeon Gwanghyeon reports from the scene.

[Reporter]

For Castrop, who was substituted in the second half to make his World Cup debut, the match against South Africa ended as a "nightmare."

Although he gave his all, covering both offense and defense, he blamed himself for failing to block the opponent's shot during the goal-conceding moment.

[Castrop/National Team Defender: I couldn't close my legs in time during the goal-conceding scene. It was my mistake.]

The players stated they did not want to blame environmental factors such as the hot weather and apologized to the fans who sent their support.

[Kim Min-jae/National Team Defender: I think the weather is just an excuse. I have nothing to say other than that I am sorry for the loss.]

They promised to show a different side if they advance to the Round of 32.

[Lee Kang-in/National Team Forward: I think we need to reflect well and prepare so that a game like this is not repeated.]

There was also a minor commotion in the interview area after the match.

The interview with our players was interrupted because the South African team was singing loudly to celebrate their victory.

[Look, move forward!]

[Reporter: Please be quiet.]

When a South African team official, who received the complaint, expressed displeasure by telling them not to disturb their ceremony, Hwang In-beom retorted, "Please show respect," leading to a war of nerves.

[Hwang In-beom/National Team Midfielder: Please show respect.]

The national team, now facing the task of overcoming the shock of an unexpected defeat, must wait for the results of other groups.

(Video coverage: Hwang In-seok, Video editing: Yoon Tae-ho, Design: Kim Ye-ji)