As South Korea opened its pre-World Cup camp in Miami on Saturday, head coach Hong Myung-bo stressed the importance of shoring up the defense.

Hong’s 23-man squad arrived in Miami on Friday to prepare for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil. South Korea chose the site because the climate here is similar to that in Cuiaba, the venue for its opening group stage match against Russia on June 17, and because both cities are in the same time zone.

The team will face Ghana in the last tune-up match before the World Cup on June 9, and will arrive in its Brazilian base camp, Foz do Iguacu, two days later.

Before the start of the team’s first practice in Miami, Hong told reporters that defense will be the key.

“Starting today, we’re going to spend a lot of time improving our defensive organization,” the coach said. “We will also keep working on combination plays on offense.”

South Korea suffered a 1-0 loss to Tunisia last Wednesday in Seoul, the last pre-World Cup match at home. South Korea showed gaping holes on defense in the lethargic match, prompting Hong, a former star defender in his playing days, to renew the team’s focus on the backline.

Hong said his team is building up for the crucial opening match against Russia.

“Our players will need some time to overcome jetlag,” the coach said. “So I won’t put them through anything that might hinder their recovery.”

The coach also spoke of the importance of communication within the team.

“Players need to be motivated as they compete for minutes,” Hong said. “We’re going to be here for several days, and I’d like to see players and coaches talking to each other often and help each other out throughout our stay here.”

Defensive back Hong Jeong-ho, who sustained a bruised left foot against Tunisia, sat out Saturday’s practice.

While defensive backs tried to improve their performances, striker Park Chu-young said he will try to take care of business on his end.

Park leads the current squad with 24 international goals in 62 matches, and will be counted on to give the goal-starved South Korea some firepower in Brazil.

In 15 matches under Hong since last July, South Korea has scored 15 goals and has given up 18.

“In Miami, I will work on my finishing touch around the net,” Park said.

“My job as a forward is obviously to score goals.”

Park recently dealt with foot inflammation that sidelined him for a few weeks starting in April, and said Saturday he’s about “80 percent” healthy.

“I should get into normal shape in about 10 days,” he added. “I still have some work to do (before facing Ghana next week).” (Yonhap)