Igor Shalimov assessed South Korea's disappointing group-stage exit after falling to South Africa 1:0 on June 25. 'Korea really let me down,' Shalimov said. 'In their opening match they impressed me—positional play close to Spain's style. But against South Africa they simply fell apart.'
Shalimov attributed the collapse to psychology: 'A draw suited them; they were advancing with that result. But they completely gave up.' The loss left South Korea third in their group with three points, ending their knockout hopes despite an encouraging start to the tournament.