South Korean Substitute Eom Ji-sung Reflects on Near-Heroic Moment in World Cup Loss

ZAPOPAN, Mexico, June 19 (Yonhap) -- For a fleeting moment during the late stages of South Korea's loss to Mexico at the ongoing FIFA World Cup on Thursday, substitute Eom Ji-sung thought he could become a hero.

With South Korea trailing 1-0 in the 87th minute, Eom delivered a cross toward the back post to another sub, Cho Gue-sung. Cho met the ball with his head for what appeared to be a sure goal, only to see goalkeeper Raul Rangel make a miraculous save to preserve his side's narrow lead.

South Korea ended up losing 1-0 at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico, for their first defeat in Group A play.

"When I saw the replay afterward, I realized I kicked the ball pretty hard. But in real time, I thought the ball was traveling in slow motion," Eom told reporters Friday before a training session at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan. "If we'd scored on that play, we would have been able to bag a point and have been in a better mood going into the next match. It's just a shame."

Eom said even in that short moment, the play reminded him of a header goal scored by Cho against Ghana during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. South Korea were down 2-0 when Cho headed home a cross from Lee Kang-in in the 58th minute.

"I didn't necessarily cross for Cho Gue-sung in particular. I just trusted whoever was going to be in the area at the moment," Eom said. "The head coach (Hong Myung-bo) asked me to make some aggressive plays and fire crosses. I had practiced those plays so much, and I felt my timing was really good on this play. It was just a matter of bad luck that we didn't get a goal there. I will try to create more moments like that in the next match."

Playing at his first World Cup, Eom was brought in off the bench in each of South Korea's first two Group A matches. The 24-year-old said he knows exactly what's expected of him as a sub.

"I can help the team by creating offensive chances with crosses or shots," the midfielder for Swansea City said. "That has been my strength with my club, and I want to do the same here."

In a span of four years, Eom has gone from a fan watching World Cup matches on TV -- hence his recollection of Cho's goal in 2022 -- to a key reserve who can inject energy into the attack.

"I used to cheer for the national team at World Cups, and it still hasn't dawned on me yet I am playing in one," Eom said with a smile. "I guess that is why I don't really get nervous on the pitch."

Despite losing to Mexico, the Taegeuk Warriors are still well positioned to reach the knockout stage. They remain in second place in the group behind Mexico with three points, and even a draw against South Africa in the final group match next week will send South Korea to the round of 32.

"The vibe is pretty good. We still have a good opportunity to reach the round of 32," Eom said. "We failed to score against Mexico, but we're going to use that loss as fuel. We will try to maximize our strengths and minimize our weaknesses. We remain confident, and we believe we will bring home good results."

Eom and his teammates had a light workout session Friday, and they will have a rest day Saturday. After playing their first two matches at Estadio Guadalajara, South Korea will take on South Africa at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, northern Mexico, at 7 p.m. Wednesday (local time), or 10 a.m. Thursday (South Korean time).