Striker Son Heung-min (right) on June 18 struggles for a ball in Korea's second Group A game of the FIFA World Cup soccer finals at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico. (Korea Football Association)

By Charles Audouin

The national soccer team can remain alive in the FIFA World Cup in North America by winning its final Group A game against South Africa next week.

Led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, Korea on June 18 came up short against Mexico, 1-0, at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico. Midfielder Luis Romo fired in the only goal in the 50th minute.

Korea struggled early after losing control of the midfield but gradually regained momentum and threatened to score on several occasions, but goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu's mistake proved costly as it allowed Romo to score.

The Taegeuk Warriors launched an all-out attack and made substitutions on offense, but failed to break through the Mexican defense.

Despite the loss, Korea remains in contention to advance to the knockout stage. In the other Group A game earlier, Czechia and South Africa played to a 1-1 draw.

Korea is thus second in its group with three points from a win and a loss, trailing leader Mexico, which has six points from two victories.

Next for Korea is South Africa on June 24 in Monterrey for their final group game.

This World Cup has an expanded 48-country field comprising 12 groups of four teams each. The top two finishers from each group advance to the round of 32, along with the eight best third-place squads.

caudouin@korea.kr