Hong Myung-bo says, "If we beat Mexico, we can surpass the '2002 semifinal miracle'" [2026 FIFA World Cup]

[Financial News] Ahead of South Korea's second group-stage match against Mexico at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, head coach Hong Myung-bo said he hopes to go beyond the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan semifinal run.
According to Newsis and others on the 18th (Korea time), Hong attended a pre-match press conference at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, and said, "The match against the host nation, Mexico, is the most important game in our group. I will prepare well so the players can overcome it and play a good match tomorrow."
South Korea will face Mexico in its second Group A match of the FIFA World Cup at 10 a.m. on the 19th at the same venue. After a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in the opening match on the 12th, Hong's team sits second in the group, behind Mexico on goal difference.
However, if the teams are tied on points, the head-to-head rule is applied first. That means the winner of this matchup will effectively secure a place in the round of 32, along with first place in the group. That is why the Mexico match is the most important game in this group stage.
The problem is that host nation Mexico is regarded as the strongest team in Group A. South Korea also trails in the all-time head-to-head record, with 4 wins, 3 draws and 8 losses. Since a 1-0 friendly win in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 2006, South Korea has gone 20 years without a victory in four meetings. If limited to World Cup matches, South Korea has never beaten Mexico, losing at the 1998 FIFA World Cup France and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Hong said, "Mexico is a completely different team from the Czech Republic. Everything is different, from the style of play to everything else. Their overall individual quality is high, and their midfield movement is very creative," but added, "We shared a lot with the players about that, and I believe we prepared well. The opponent will definitely come out strongly, and we need to be ready for that."
Hong's team is aiming for South Korea's first-ever away quarterfinal at the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup. South Korea's best-ever finish is the semifinal run at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, while its best result away from home is the round of 16 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Hong, who was also a key figure in South Korea's semifinal run at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, said, "I hope the players can go beyond that result," adding that "last year's friendly against Mexico will be a big help for us." At the time, South Korea drew 2-2 with Mexico thanks to goals from Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Oh Hyeon-gyu (Beşiktaş J.K. (BJK)).
Hong emphasized, "The players gained something from that match. They also built strong confidence from winning the first game," and added, "I hope those things show well on the pitch." Midfielder Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord Rotterdam), who attended the press conference with him, also said, "Mexico presses well. As a team, it is important how well we can break that down. Their transition speed is also very fast. We will prepare for that as well," expressing his determination.
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter