Wednesday 18 June 2014 11:06, UK
Hong Myung-bo is expecting South Korea to improve after his side opened their World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Russia.
Lee Keun-ho gave South Korea a 68th minute lead in Cuaiba following a mistake from goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, but Russia equalised six minutes later through substitute Alexandr Kerzhakov.
South Korea next face Algeria on Sunday before tackling Belgium in their final Group H fixture and Hong feels his players will get better as the tournament progresses.
“In a tournament like this, the first match is always the most difficult and there is a lot of pressure," said Hong.
"I think my players really did their utmost today. Tactically and physically, each and every moment, they played intelligently.
"Overall if we look at our players, I don't think they did that badly. I think in the next match they will do a lot better."
South Korea had lost four of their previous five matches prior to the tournament and their final warm-up game produced a 4-0 defeat by Ghana in Miami.
Hong added: "The heavy defeat against Ghana was not important as it was just part of the process.
"We focused our rhythm and organisation on this match.
"I think it worked well. The condition of players and organisation of team was good."
