World Cup work still remains for Korea

Korean players run during a training session for the FIFA World Cup at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, Mexico, on June 19. Yonhap

On Thursday morning in Korea, millions will tune in to see what transpires in the Mexican city of Monterey as Korea faces South Africa. A win or a draw will ensure second place in Group A, but defeat would mean a third-place finish — though that could still mean a place in the Round of 32 — or fourth, which would mean elimination and humiliation.

Which version of the Taeguk Warriors will turn up? Will it be the team that looked full of energy, speed and imagination as they beat the Czech Republic 2-1? Or will it be the passive pack that lost 1-0 to Mexico? If they had won or tied the game, then the final group game could have been about resting a few players and getting ready for the Round of 32. Instead, there is work still to do.

South Africa, ranked 38 places below Korea at 61st in the world, have yet to impress. Their opening games were a 2-0 defeat against Mexico and a 1-1 draw with the Czechs. Bafana Bafana’s Belgian boss Hugo Broos is expecting a tough test.

"I'm very sorry to say this, but they are like Duracells: You plug them in, and they start running, and they run for 90 minutes, so it will not be easy," Broos said.

"Yes, South Korea is a little bit in between Mexico and Czechia: it’s a very disciplined team. This is a characteristic of the Eastern teams; they are always disciplined, you saw that in their game against Czechia.

"They also have good players, a few key players in the team."

It seems as if Korean coach Hong Myung-bo is not going to make any major changes. That means Son Heung-min playing in the center of attack, even though it is a role that does not seem to get the best out of the 33-year-old forward. It will also mean sticking with a three-man defense.

That looked fine against the Czechs, apart from set pieces, but it should not be forgotten that the European team performed poorly in both games so far. South Africa is unpolished but has a big prize to play for – a win will likely mean a historic second place.

"South Africa is a team with good speed," Hong said. "We need to prepare well tactically."

A draw would be enough, but a win and six points is the ideal way to finish the group stage and move on to the United States to face Canada or Switzerland.

Both potential opponents are beatable. First though, Korea need to show that their performance against the Czechs is a more accurate reflection of the team than the toothless display against Mexico

If you asked Hong if he would have accepted this situation when the team left Incheon International Airport, he would surely have said yes. Now is the time to show he has what it takes to help Korea go to the next level.