South Koreans turn on Hong after disappointing World Cup campaign

June 28 : South Korea's agonising wait to learn their World Cup knockout round fate ended in dejection on Saturday as results went against Hong Myung-bo's team, their three-point haul from Group A not enough to secure one of the berths in the last 32.

It was an ignominious end to a fractured campaign that has seen the country fall out of love with the one-time national team captain and icon, who more than two decades ago led South Korea to their finest achievement.

Hong, who resigned as head coach on Sunday, was captain of the side that defied the odds to reach the World Cup semi-finals on home soil in 2002, swept up by a wave of patriotism that saw the Taeguk Warriors defeat Portugal, Poland, Italy and Spain on their way to the last four.

That run prompted an ever-more euphoric reaction on the streets of Seoul and beyond but the mood in the nation has long since soured towards the former defender and it is now at an all-time low.

In his first stint as coach, Hong was pelted with candy - seen as a deeply offensive insult - upon his return to South Korea from the 2014 World Cup when his young and promising squad were eliminated in the group phase.

He can expect similar, or worse, following this performance after the Koreans wasted a winning start against Czech Republic as their campaign fizzled out with losses against Mexico and South Africa.

President Lee Jae-myung has already launched a broadside against Hong and the Korea Football Association while fans have again voiced their anger at those running the game in the country.

Hong's return to the job as the long-term replacement for Juergen Klinsmann in July 2024 was a controversial move despite the 57-year-old having rehabilitated his coaching reputation by winning