YANG HYUN-JUN and his team-mates have been hit by a ferocious backlash after South Korea’s early elimination from the World Cup.
The Celtic winger admitted it was “so disappointing” after kicking off the competition with a 2-1 win over Czechia before back-to-back 1-0 losses against Mexico and South Africa.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo has already quit amid the fans’ outrage and Seoul police have arranged extra security for the squad’s return with reports of planned protests.
President Lee Jae Myung has called for a government investigation into the team’s performances.
Yang said: “Honestly, the atmosphere isn’t good at the moment within the team.
“It is so disappointing to find ourselves in this situation because we were so focused on the World Cup.
“All the players should have taken a little more responsibility.”
The Hoops winger, speaking in a report in the Glasgow Times, added: “I am sorry for the fans.
“We put ourselves in a strong position by winning the first game, but then we were so disappointing against South Africa and Mexico.
“We failed to perform.”
Yang’s Celtic colleague Daizen Maeda also saw Japan tumble out of the elite competition when they lost 2-1 to a stoppage-time goal against Brazil in Houston last night.
The jet-heeled forward apologised to his nation’s fans for “letting them down” after leading 1-0 at the inerval against the Samba superstars.
A storming second-half fightback saw Carlos Casimera head in the equaliser before Atsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli drilled in a 95th-minute winner.
