Chinese state media argued that South Koreans "should regain their composure" and that blame for the national football team's elimination should not be placed solely on head coach Hong Myung-bo, amid domestic criticism following the team's group-stage exit at the 2026 World Cup.
"Niu Tanqin," a social media account affiliated with China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, said in a commentary Tuesday that "South Korea was eliminated with the worst record in team history at this World Cup," while adding that "the intense reaction seen in Korean society has surprised the world even more."
The outlet referred to the cancellation of the team's welcome event, the demand by the supporters' group "Red Devils" for Hong Myung-bo to leave football, and the ongoing investigation surrounding the Korea Football Association and related senior officials. It went on to report that "even though coach Hong publicly apologized and announced his resignation, the criticism has not stopped."
Niu Tanqin said the "disappointment, frustration and anger felt by Korean fans after the highly anticipated team lost to South Africa are entirely understandable," but pointed out that "equating a defeat in a match with betrayal goes far beyond the scope of sports and resembles an outpouring of social emotion."
While acknowledging that Korean football is gradually showing a gap in its rivalry with Japan, the outlet argued that the problem should not be attributed to Hong alone.
"Coach Hong certainly cannot avoid responsibility, but looking deeper, this is a problem of the entire national team system," the media said. "No collapse of any system is one person's fault, yet there is a habit of shifting all the blame onto the most visible figure."
It then asked, "South Koreans should be calm," adding, "if you stake your life on a sports match and stop at no means or methods, is that really football?"
Niu Tanqin also offered a self-deprecating expression comparing the situation to its own country's football. After citing cases of countries such as Iraq, Italy and Greece that experienced wars or economic difficulties after achieving results in international competitions, it wrote, "believe it or not, football and national fortune are somewhat connected," and "the dharma protector that has guarded China's national fortune by enduring humiliation for so many years is the Chinese national football team."
It also said, "the defeat of the South Korean men's football team while the Korean stock market is doing well can be called the law of conservation of energy," describing it as "a lesson that where there is gain there is loss, so do not be too happy."
Finally, it added, "there are still many countries in the world that cannot even compete in the World Cup finals," asking, "if South Koreans are so angry, where should the Chinese national football team hide its face?" and noting that "failing to even compete is more regrettable than losing a match."
