South Korea are staring down the barrel of a World Cup group-stage exit after coach Hong Myung-Bo made a decision that stunned the football world — leaving captain Son Heung-Min on the bench for Wednesday's crucial Group A showdown against South Africa.

It marked the first time since 2010 that Son had not started a World Cup match, a gamble that immediately drew fierce criticism and left South Korea's tournament hopes hanging by a thread.

Hong's bold — and widely questioned — call raised immediate alarm among fans and pundits alike, with many viewing the omission of one of Asia's greatest ever players as a tactical misstep at the worst possible moment.

South Korea needed a result in the group decider to advance, making the decision to sideline their most influential player all the more baffling to observers. Son, who has long been the heartbeat of the national team, has carried South Korea through countless high-stakes moments on the international stage.

The stakes could not have been higher. A group-stage elimination at this World Cup would represent a damaging blow to South Korean football, particularly given the calibre of player available to Hong in the form of Son.

Whether the coach's gamble ultimately pays off or leads to an early exit, the decision to bench Son Heung-Min in such a decisive fixture is set to define Hong Myung-Bo's tenure — for better or for worse.