South Korea Relishes Home-Like Support Ahead of World Cup Clash

Hong Myung-bo anticipates strong support as his South Korea team faces South Africa in their final World Cup Group A match in Monterrey. Mexican fans backed South Korea in their initial 2-1 victory against the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, and Hong expects similar encouragement on Wednesday.

Hong remarked, “Tomorrow might feel like we’re playing on home ground, which is a significant gift for our players.” He captained the South Korea team that reached the semifinals in the 2002 World Cup co-hosting with Japan. South Korea stunned Germany 2-0 in 2018, allowing Mexico into the round of 16. Mexican fans celebrated with chants, “Coreano, hermano, ya eres Mexicano!” (Korean brother, you are now Mexican!) forging a unique bond between the two nations despite differing soccer cultures.

A fan, Lee Ha-young from Seoul, noted the energy difference in fandom, “Mexican fans show more energy than us.” Monterrey hosts approximately 5,000 South Korean immigrants due to local business integrations, such as KIA Motors.

South Korea’s games in Mexican venues are part of hosting the tournament with the U.S. and Canada. While many hoped for U.S. matches due to Son Heung-min’s association with LAFC, the warmth of Mexican fans has made Monterrey feel welcoming.

Currently, South Korea lies second in Group A with three points after a narrow 1-0 loss to Mexico. South Africa and the Czech Republic have one point each. For South Korea, advancing requires a win or draw; South Africa needs a victory.

If South Korea secures second place, their next match moves to Los Angeles against Group B’s runner-up, a favorable destination given its large Korean-American population.

Lee added, “We might have to go to the U.S. for the next round, but Mexico feels like home now.”

Maya Koluder-Ramirez and Ethan Wilcox from the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute contributed. For more on the World Cup, visit AP World Cup.