Korea coach after Bafana defeat: 'It comes down to me'

South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo has reflected on his side's disappointing defeat to Bafana Bafana after their FIFA World Cup hopes suffered a major setback.

The Asian giants went down 1-0 to South Africa in a must-win 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A clash on Thursday morning, South African time.

Korea needed only a draw to secure progression to the Round of 32, while Hugo Broos' charges required all three points to keep their campaign alive.

Despite being viewed by many as underdogs, Bafana Bafana rose to the occasion, producing a disciplined and determined display to set a last-32 meeting with co-hosts Canada.

READ | HISTORY: Bafana advance to World Cup knockout stage!

Myung-bo reflects on costly decisions

Myung-bo had warned before the encounter about the threat posed by South Africa, and after the defeat, the experienced tactician pointed to his own decision-making rather than looking elsewhere for explanations.

"We always talk about just the results. In terms of the process of preparation and how we can put that onto the playing field, that is something that I had thought about," Myung-bo said, as quoted by SuperSport.

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"Of course, if we had known the results already beforehand, then I probably would have made some different choices, but I had a strategy in mind," said the former defender.

"Ultimately, it comes down to me. I guess I made the wrong decisions and that was the reason why we had a bad result. Nothing more, nothing less."

Why Son started on the bench

The 57-year-old also explained the thinking behind introducing captain Son Heung-min later in the match, despite the forward being regarded as the team's biggest star.

"We thought that Son Heung-min would be better-placed when they were losing their energy, and when we could see more spaces," he added.

"That's why we wanted Son to be at his strongest, and the opponent to be a bit weaker."

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Korea still have a lifeline

Despite the defeat, South Korea's World Cup journey may not be over just yet.

The Asian side could still advance to the knockout rounds as one of the tournament's eight best third-placed teams, with their fate now dependent on results elsewhere. 

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