Shin Tae-yong says Group A runner-up spot 'wiser' path to LA, backs Korea to reach quarterfinals

Shin Tae-yong, who led South Korea at the 2018 Russia World Cup, offered a surprisingly upbeat assessment of the national team's loss to Mexico.

Several Indonesian outlets, including Media Indonesia and Bola, reported Friday on Shin's evaluation of the Mexico match.

South Korea, coached by Hong Myung-bo, fell 1-0 to Mexico at Estadio Guadalajara in Guadalajara on Friday in their second Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America and the Caribbean. The result left Korea with one win and one loss — three points — in second place in the group, behind Mexico, which has six points.

Despite the defeat, Shin praised Korea's performance. "It's really a shame that Korea lost 1-0, but they played bravely and pressed hard. There is still a chance to advance to the knockout stage," he said. "The pressing was good. However, they need to increase their shots on goal — that is the most direct path to scoring."

Shin said the current squad is stronger than the one he managed. "The national team now is better than when I was in charge. This is Korea's golden generation. Back then, five key players were absent. The current team is far better than my 2018 side," he said. "Looking at the performances in both matches, I believe this team can reach the round of 16 — and beyond."

He added that finishing second in the group and heading to Los Angeles could actually work in Korea's favor. "If they go to LA as group runners-up and play what amounts to a home game in front of the large Korean community there, they could make it to the round of 16," Shin said. "I don't know which team will come through, but with a good performance, the quarterfinals are possible too. Going to LA as second in the group is the wiser move than finishing first."

Korea will face South Africa in their final Group A match on Thursday at 10 a.m. Korean Standard Time.

“집에서나 잘해” 日 월드컵 경기장 청소에 주부들은 뿔났다…BBC가 꼬집은 ‘이중잣대’

https://biz.heraldcorp.com/article/10783201