Son Heung-min says he was 'frustrated' by South Korea's loss to South Africa

Son Heung-min, who had dreamed of a glorious final World Cup campaign, expressed deep disappointment after South Korea failed to secure a round-of-32 berth in their final group-stage match. Son started on the bench and was brought on in the second half, only to watch his side concede without reply against South Africa.

"It is frustrating that the game did not go well, and it is natural for the players to feel down given the disappointing result," Son said after South Korea's 0-1 Group A loss to South Africa at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, on Thursday (Korean Standard Time). "I am more disappointed than anyone."

The defeat left Hong Myung-bo's side with one win and two losses, dropping to third place in Group A with three points. South Korea could not secure a round-of-32 spot on their own.

Son had started both of South Korea's previous matches but began Wednesday on the bench, replacing Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers) at the start of the second half. Despite his introduction, South Korea conceded in the second half and suffered a stunning defeat. It was the first time Son had not started a World Cup match since his debut at the 2014 Brazil tournament.

On being left out of the starting lineup, Son said the coach had informed him in advance. "I feel deeply sorry that I could not help the team more on the pitch while watching them lose," he said.

Son spent the first half on the bench before offering advice to his teammates during the halftime break. "I thought about how I could help the players from the bench," he said. "Rather than saying too much, I tried to keep my advice simple and give as much of it as I could."

Son also pushed back against any suggestion that the weather played a role in the defeat. "We are not the only ones playing in these conditions — everyone is in the same environment," he said. "That is not something we can use as an excuse. We need to look at the whole picture and ask ourselves realistically what went wrong."

On team morale, Son said there were no issues. "The players are clearly putting in the effort, and it is just a shame when things do not go well," he said.

Regarding the prospect of advancing as a third-place team, Son said the situation was not one he had wanted. "Personally, I did not want to be in a position of waiting to see whether we advance in third place or not," he said. "But it is out of our hands now, and whatever the result, we have to accept it."