South Korea coach Huh Jung-Moo believed missed chances proved costly during his team's 4-1 loss to Argentina but was pleased with his players' spirit at the 2010 World Cup on Thursday.

Gonzalo Higuain of Argentina became the first player to score a hat-trick at the ongoing World Cup in South Africa, in what was a comfortable win despite Lee Chung-Yong's goal making it 2-1 just before the break.

"We played well but there were some things we lacked and we missed opportunities," said Huh, "We fought well against a side who boast several star players."

South Korea's final match in Group B is against Nigeria on June 22 and the coach is confident they can reach the last 16.

"We have learned a lot from the game," added Huh. "The result was unexpected but, regardless of the score, it's possible we can still make the last 16."

"Whether it's 4-1 or 3-1... (isn't) very meaningful. We marked (Lionel) Messi but didn't manage to get close enough to him. Our next match against Nigeria is now extremely important and it will decide whether or not we reach the Round of 16."

Argentina deserved the victory, which was never in serious doubt from when Park Chu-Young directed the ball into his own net.

Diego Maradona's men doubled their lead when Messi and Maxi Rodriguez combined for Higuain to head home before Lee halved the deficit by capitalising on a Martin Demichelis error with a superb finish beyond Sergio Romero.

Any Argentina nerves, however, were settled when Higuain tapped-in from close range and then he completed his hat-trick by heading home Sergio Aguero's cross.