Jens takes blame after World Cup debut loss: 'My mistake… I'll give 100% if we reach the round of 32'

South Korea suffered a 0-1 defeat to South Africa in their final Group A match at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, on Thursday (Korean Standard Time). Jens Castrop (Borussia Mönchengladbach), making his World Cup debut, took personal responsibility for the loss.

Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the match, Castrop said he was glad to have made his World Cup debut but that the result left him deeply disappointed. "I'm glad to have played my first World Cup match, but unfortunately the team lost 0-1," he said. "I'm really gutted."

Castrop said the team would now have to monitor results in other groups. "It's a disappointing result, but we have to see how things play out in the other groups," he said. "If we advance to the round of 32, I'll give 100 percent focus in the next match."

Asked what instructions coach Hong Myung-bo had given him, Castrop said South Africa's four-man defensive line meant the team was told to press aggressively against their last line of defense. "We tried to move actively through crosses and runs in behind," he said. "That part worked well, but unfortunately we couldn't score. Instead, we conceded on a counter-attack."

He also reflected on the physical demands of playing in those conditions. "Playing on the pitch is very different from watching from the outside," he said. "From the outside everything looks easy, but when it comes down to it, the high humidity and weather make it extremely hard to sprint and move aggressively."

He went on to say that he failed to close his legs in time when the opponent took the shot that led to the goal. "Ultimately, we conceded," he said.

"That was my mistake," Castrop said. "But on the pitch, every single moment is a little bit harder than you expect."

South Korea needed only a draw to secure second place in the group and a spot in the round of 32. South Africa ranked 60th in the FIFA rankings heading into the match, 36 places below South Korea at 24th.

South Korea's record against African sides at the World Cup now stands at one win, one draw and three losses across five meetings. Their only victory came against Togo at the 2006 Germany tournament, a 2-1 win that remains their sole triumph over an African opponent in 20 years. Coach Hong, who had vowed to win rather than settle for a draw, made the bold call to bench captain Son Heung-min (LAFC) — who had gone scoreless in the two previous matches — but the gamble backfired as South Korea were dominated from the opening whistle.

After a poor first half, Hong made three substitutions at the start of the second, withdrawing Hwang Hee-chan, Baek Seung-ho and Lee Tae-seok and sending on Son, Kim Jin-gyu and Jens Castrop.

South Korea appeared to take control for a spell, but conceded on a counter-attack in the 63rd minute. Tsepang Moremi delivered a low cross from the left, and No. 12 Maseko finished with a left-footed shot to beat the Korean goalkeeper.

South Korea continued to press into dangerous areas but could not break through South Africa's defensive lines.

In the 93rd minute, a cross from Castrop struck Park Jin-seop's head as he attempted a header but failed to find the target, and the goalkeeper gathered the ball. South Korea's defeat was sealed.

In the other Group A match, Mexico beat the Czech Republic 3-0, with Mateo Chavez scoring in the 55th minute, Julian Quiñones in the 61st and Alvaro Fidalgo in the 94th.