Son Heung-min pulled after Mexico scores opener in second half

'Heavy marking meant we couldn't play the way we wanted'

'I wanted to at least get back to level'

South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo speaks at a press conference ahead of an official training session at Chivas Valle Verde in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 6 (local time). [Yonhap]
South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo speaks at a press conference ahead of an official training session at Chivas Valle Verde in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 6 (local time). [Yonhap]

South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo has defended his decision to substitute Son Heung-min of LAFC and Lee Jae-sung of FSV Mainz 05 early against Mexico, saying "we needed to score."

Speaking on the KBS Sports YouTube channel "Ols" on Sunday, Hong addressed questions about the substitutions, saying he felt "it would be better to bring on fresher players."

"The heavy marking in the first half meant we couldn't play the way we wanted," Hong said. "I made the substitutions early because I wanted to at least get back to level."

South Korea lost 1-0 to Mexico on Friday in their second Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, played at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Guadalajara.

Mexico's Luis Moe scored the opener in the 50th minute. Hong then substituted his star striker Son in the 56th minute.

KBS analyst Lee Young-pyo said the move felt "a little quick," adding that "once Son came off, there was no one to unsettle the defensive line, and the opponent was able to manage the game comfortably."

Hong also said the team's tactical cohesion was gradually improving. "It's hard to put a percentage on it, but we're getting better little by little," he said. "In the time we have left, I'll work with the players to analyze South Africa's strengths and weaknesses and prepare for the match."

South Korea face South Africa in their final Group A match at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, on Thursday morning. A draw would be enough for South Korea to advance to the round of 32.


hyuk@heraldcorp.com