Hong Myung-bo's Bold Claims After Historic Third Straight Loss: 'Korea Played Better Despite 0-1 Defeat to Japan'

The Historic First: Korea's Three-Game Losing Streak Against Japan

Korean football faced an unprecedented humiliation on July 15, 2025, as the national team suffered their first-ever three consecutive losses to Japan. The 0-1 defeat at Yongin Mir Stadium in the 2025 EAFF E-1 Championship final marked a dark milestone in Korean football history. This loss was particularly stinging as it occurred on home soil, with 18,418 spectators witnessing Japan claim their third overall championship and second consecutive title. The significance of this defeat cannot be overstated - Korea now holds an overall record of 42 wins, 23 draws, and 17 losses against Japan, but the recent trend shows Japan's dominance with Korea managing only 4 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses since the 2010s. The three consecutive defeats started with a crushing 0-3 loss in Yokohama in 2021, followed by another 0-3 defeat in Nagoya in 2022, culminating in this latest setback that ended Korea's hopes of reclaiming the East Asian championship after six years.

Hong Myung-bo's Defiant Defense: 'We Outplayed Japan'

Despite the disappointing result, coach Hong Myung-bo delivered a surprisingly defiant assessment of his team's performance. In a post-match press conference, Hong boldly claimed that Korea had outperformed Japan, stating 'When looking at both teams, our players did better. Japan couldn't utilize their strengths'. The coach emphasized that Japan's attackers posed no threat to Korea's defense, arguing that 'there weren't many scenes like that' and that Japanese forwards 'couldn't trouble our defenders at all'. Hong's confidence was backed by statistical evidence - Korea dominated possession 58%-42% and outshot Japan 9-4, reversing the traditional narrative where Japan typically controlled the ball. However, critics pointed out that Korea managed only one shot on target despite their statistical advantages, highlighting a lack of clinical finishing that has plagued Korean football in recent encounters with Japan.

Tactical Experimentation: The Back-Three Formation Strategy

Hong Myung-bo's decision to implement a back-three formation throughout the tournament represented a significant tactical shift for Korean football. The coach explained that while Korea has a solid Plan A with the 4-2-3-1 formation, they needed a Plan B for the world stage, particularly for the 2026 World Cup. The experimental approach was necessitated by the absence of European-based stars like Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Kang-in, providing an opportunity to test domestic K-League players. Hong acknowledged that while Japan's players were familiar with the back-three system through their established national team manual, Korea was only implementing it for the third time since the China match. The formation consisted of Park Jin-seob, Kim Joo-seong, and Park Seung-wook, though they couldn't prevent Ryo Germain's eighth-minute goal that proved decisive. Despite the tactical experiment's failure to produce victory, Hong maintained that the system showed promise and identified competitive players for future consideration.

The 2026 World Cup Silver Lining: Five Players Discovered

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Hong Myung-bo's post-match comments was his claim about discovering potential 2026 World Cup candidates. The coach revealed that he had identified 'around five or more players' who showed good competitiveness in the back-three system and could potentially make the World Cup squad if they continue to develop. This discovery represents a silver lining in what many viewed as a disappointing tournament result. Hong emphasized that the primary purpose of the tournament was not just about winning but about preparing for the 2026 World Cup, where Korea will need tactical flexibility and depth. The coach noted that while the September friendlies wouldn't provide enough time for such experimentation, the EAFF tournament offered the perfect opportunity to test domestic players. Among the players who caught attention were Oh Se-hun from FC Machida Zelvia and various K-League talents who demonstrated their capabilities in the new system.

Fan Reactions and Community Response: A Nation's Disappointment

The Korean football community's reaction to the historic three-game losing streak was predictably harsh. Social media platforms and online communities were flooded with criticism, with many fans expressing frustration over the team's inability to break down Japan's defense despite statistical dominance. The sight of hundreds of Japanese 'Ultra Nippon' supporters taking over sections of the stadium and chanting louder than the Korean Red Devils added insult to injury. Captain Jo Hyun-woo, who had been in goal for all three consecutive losses, expressed deep remorse, stating 'It hurts to have lost three in a row. We will definitely win the next match against Japan'. The goalkeeper took personal responsibility for the defeat, lamenting that while he couldn't reach Germain's shot, he should have organized the defense better. Korean media outlets described the loss as more humiliating than China's third-place finish in the tournament, emphasizing how the once-proud Korean football had fallen behind their rivals.

Systemic Issues: The Growing Gap Between Korea and Japan

Hong Myung-bo's honest assessment of the structural differences between Korean and Japanese football provided insight into the growing gap between the two nations. The coach acknowledged that fundamental differences in youth development and educational approaches from an early age contribute to Japan's current advantages. Hong noted that Japan has maintained consistency since the 1990s regardless of match results, while Korea sometimes became complacent after victories. This systemic analysis sparked discussions about the need for long-term reforms in Korean football development. The coach's experience in Japan gave him unique perspective on both systems, leading to his conclusion that while individual player quality continues to improve, tactical cohesion and systematic approach remain areas where Korea lags behind. The defeat highlighted questions about whether Korea's traditional strengths in physical battles and mental toughness were still sufficient to compete with Japan's evolved tactical sophistication.

Looking Forward: Lessons for the 2026 World Cup Journey

Despite the immediate disappointment, Hong Myung-bo's focus remained firmly on the 2026 World Cup preparations. The coach's optimistic outlook suggested that the tournament's primary value lay in player development and tactical experimentation rather than immediate results. Korea's qualification for the 2026 World Cup is already secured, providing the luxury of using tournaments like the EAFF Championship for developmental purposes. The identification of five potential World Cup candidates through the back-three experiment represents tangible progress toward building squad depth. Hong's emphasis on having both Plan A and Plan B formations acknowledges the tactical flexibility required for success on the world stage. The coach's willingness to experiment with domestic players also signals a commitment to developing K-League talent, which could prove crucial given the aging of European-based stars like Son Heung-min, who will be 34 during the 2026 World Cup. While the three consecutive losses to Japan sting, they may serve as a wake-up call for Korean football to address systemic issues before the next World Cup cycle begins in earnest.