South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo resigned Sunday after the team's quick elimination from the World Cup drew a harsh condemnation from the country's president, who called the coach “incapable” and ordered a complete review of the national team program.
South Korea won its opening match against Czech Republic, then lost its next two Group A matches to South Africa and Mexico.
South Korea hoped it would qualify for the next round as one of the third-place teams to advance in this year's expanded tournament. That ended when Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 on Saturday.
The quick exit for a team that expected to advance left the national team program in turmoil and drew a sharp rebuke from President Lee Jae Myung. He leveled pointed criticism at the coach..
“As a former honorary professional football club chairman and, at heart, a member of the Red Devils, I feel not just surprise but deep bewilderment at this unexpected result,” the president said.
The president criticized the national team structure and oversight, and the coach's appointment in the first place.
A bullish Marquinhos warned Brazil were improving all the time ahead of their World Cup last-32 clash with a dangerous Japan side on Monday.
Japan defeated Carlo Ancelotti's men 3-2 at home in October in a friendly for a historic first victory over the South Americans.
Coupled with a 1-0 win over England at Wembley, Japan came into the World Cup in North America as dark horses.
Japan and Brazil meet in Houston with a place in the last 16 at stake, and Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos struck a confident tone.
The 32-year-old, who was among several defenders missing from the friendly defeat, said they had taken lessons from that night.
"I think that really was a learning experience for us," he said.
"Everything that we've been through in the last few years brought us to this point, to this present moment, in the World Cup, and everything is a learning experience.
"It's really a test, and our coach really saw what he needed to see."