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06/28 14:07 CDT South Korea leaves World Cup in turmoil as early exit prompts
fierce criticism from president
South Korea leaves World Cup in turmoil as early exit prompts fierce criticism
from president
By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer
South Korea left the World Cup in turmoil after the team's quick elimination
drew heavy criticism from the country's president, who called coach Hong
Myung-bo "incapable," while South Korea media reported the coach had already
quit.
South Korea won its opening match against Czech Republic, then lost its next
two Group A matches to South Africa and Mexico.
South Korea hoped it would qualify for the next round as one of the third-place
teams to advance in this year's expanded tournament. That ended when Congo
defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 on Saturday.
The quick exit for a team that expected to advance prompted harsh criticism
from President Lee Jae Myung, who called for a complete review of the national
team program.
"As a former honorary professional football club chairman and, at heart, a
member of the Red Devils, I feel not just surprise but deep bewilderment at
this unexpected result," the president said in a lengthy statement critical of
national team structure and oversight and coach Myung-bo's appointment in the
first place.
"Once again, it has been proven that personnel decisions determine everything.
If loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence and an incapable person
is appointed as a leader, the outcome is as predictable as fire," the president
said.
Hong, 57, was in his second stint with the national team. He was the coach at
the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when South Korea also failed to advance past the
group stage.
South Korea is a regular at the World Cup with 11 consecutive appearances, and
was a semifinalist when it was co-host of the tournament in 2002.
President Myung called for the national Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
to review the national team and its failures.
"I sincerely apologize to the public for the deep disappointment caused by this
absurd situation. We will move swiftly to reform sports administration to
ensure this does not happen again," Myung said.
___
See more of AP's World Cup coverage here
