South Korea expecting home-game feel for World Cup match against South Africa in Mexico
Upset victory against Germany in 2018, establishment of KIA Motors plant and other businesses in region strengthened bond between nations
Hong Myung-bo is expecting the atmosphere to feel like a home game when his South Korea team play South Africa in their last World Cup Group A encounter in Monterrey.
A large number of Mexican fans supported the Taeguk Warriors when they defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in the opening game in Guadalajara, and head coach Hong expects similar support on Wednesday.
“We may feel like this is our home ground tomorrow, and that is a very big gift to our players,” said Hong, who was captain of the South Korea team that reached the semi-finals when it co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with Japan. “We will use that very well so we can play a good game tomorrow.”
There’s a strong reason for the support.
In the 2018 World Cup, South Korea upset Germany 2-0 to send Mexico into the round of 16 and Mexican fans famously marched to South Korea’s consulate in Monterrey to celebrate, chanting “Coreano, hermano, ya eres Mexicano [Korean brother, you are now Mexican]!”
Since then, football fans from the two nations have developed a bond despite a difference in cultures.