In a press conference held at the Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico, on June 24, Hong stated, "The moment you think a draw is acceptable, you may find yourself in trouble."
Regarding the possibility of advancing to the knockout stage with just a draw, he reflected, "In my past World Cup experiences, there have been many instances where you had to win to advance. While the current situation of potentially finishing second with a draw isn't bad, it doesn't particularly help us either."
He added, "If we start thinking that a draw is enough, we will likely find ourselves in a difficult position. The opponent is also tough. We will prepare for the match with the mindset that we must win and not give up."
On the team's morale following the match against Mexico, Hong noted, "Overall, the preparation process has been decent, but the inability to secure a result has led to a slightly lower atmosphere compared to when we win. However, this hasn't significantly affected our preparation. Both physically and mentally, we have recovered well."
Regarding the starting lineup, he mentioned, "There will likely be changes in two or three positions."
Meanwhile, the final group match between South Korea and South Africa is scheduled for June 25 at 10 a.m. at Estadio Monterrey.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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