Monterrey, the national team's new home, offers a completely different environment from Guadalajara, the previous base camp. Leaving behind the unique coolness of the highlands, this place is a city of truly 'sweltering heat' where high temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius and high humidity coexist. It is so hot that the temperature does not fall below 30 degrees even during the evening hours on the day of the game, so the players' physical exhaustion is expected to be on a completely different level from previous games. However, these poor climatic conditions are offset by the enthusiastic cheering of local Korean residents. Many large Korean companies are located in Monterrey, creating a large Korean community of approximately 4,000 people, and the cheers of fans filling the front of the national team's dormitory provide great psychological stability and motivation to the players.

Regarding the controversy over Son Heung-min's early replacement, which arose after the loss to Mexico, coach Hong Myung-bo emphasized that it was a clear strategic decision. At the time, Coach Hong explained that in a situation where the team was desperate to score, fresher resources were needed to break through the opponent's checks and revitalize the attack. While he highly praised Son Heung-min's ability to penetrate the back space, he made it clear that it was a game-changing substitution to change the flow of the game. This tactical decision was not simply based on individual performance, but was a deliberate choice by the coach that took into account the organic movement and energy level of the entire team. Now, the national team is putting past controversies behind it and focusing its efforts on finding the optimal tactical combination to win the game against South Africa.

A very interesting referee was assigned to the final match against South Africa, which emerged as a variable outside of the game. Referee Facundo Teyo, who was present at the moment of the comeback win against Portugal at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, is once again holding the whistle. Referee Teyo is famous for not hesitating to use cards that disrupt the flow of the game, and he is so strict in his decisions that he ordered 10 people to be sent off in one game in the past. Therefore, it has become more important than ever for players to refrain from unnecessary fouls and maintain cool-headed composure throughout the game. In particular, accumulating warnings or being sent off can cause a major setback in the team's ability to advance to the round of 32, so clever game management will be a key factor in determining victory or defeat.

In order for the Korean national team to advance to the round of 32, at least a draw is required. They are currently in second place in their group with 1 win and 1 loss, but if they lose against South Africa, they will be pushed to the bottom of the group according to the point calculation, which is like a thin ice situation that could end their World Cup journey early. It is clear that South Africa will also make a desperate attempt to avoid the risk of being eliminated in the group stage, so coach Hong Myung-bo is closely analyzing the opponent's strengths and weaknesses and preparing customized countermeasures. The players are recovering from physical fatigue and preparing to enter the stadium by equipping themselves mentally and psychologically. The entire nation's attention is focused on whether the final 90 minutes that will unfold under the hot sun of Monterrey will record a new history in Korean soccer.