Son apologizes to the South Korean fans for the harsh Brazilian display
South Korean captain Heung-min Son apologized for his country's harsh exit from the FIFA World Cup, after it fell, Monday, to Brazil 1-4 in the final price of the Qatar 2022 World Cup
. Four goals in the first half before substitute Baek Sung-ho scored the honorable goal with a powerful left volley just a quarter of an hour from the end of the match.
Korea, which reached the elimination rounds for the third time, was hoping to achieve a surprise, as it did at home in 2002 when it overthrew Italy and Spain in the eighth and quarter-finals, respectively, before falling to the German machines in the last square.
"I can only apologize to our fans that we did not live up to expectations," said Son, who played in Qatar wearing a mask following surgery he underwent after suffering a fracture around his eye.
And he continued in an interview with reporters, "We gave our best, but I think we played a difficult match. But there is no doubt that all the players fought with pride and did their best and worked hard to get here."
South Korea qualified with a dramatic scenario, with a fatal victory over Portugal in the last match of the group stage, coinciding with Ghana's fall to Uruguay.
"The players and coaching staff did everything they could to prepare for this match," said Son, 30.
Portuguese coach Paulo Bento announced his resignation immediately after the loss, stressing that this was a decision he made last September, after he had held the position since 2018.
Son, who did not score any goals in Qatar and did not appear at his usual levels, expressed his regret at Bento's departure. His style of football," he said, referring to pundits who said Pinto was overly cautious at times.
"A lot of people had reservations about that, but they all encouraged us when we played well in the World Cup here. We were able to implement the things we've worked on over the past four years. It's sad to see him go."
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