South Korea coach Guus Hiddink said his side deserved far better from their game against the USA in Deagu.
The World Cup co-hosts fought back from a goal down to hold the Americans but Hiddink insisted they deserved to win convincingly.
"A draw tastes a little bit poor for us," the Dutchman admitted.
"We deserved to win 3-1 or 4-1 because we created such beautiful chances.
"After all, a draw is not enough. I am happy with the way the players performed, with their attitude and the way they attacked.
"I think if you see where the Korean team came from three or four months ago then you have to be happy.
"Today we controlled and dominated at times."
US keeper Brad Friedel pulled off a string of excellent saves in the match and kept out a first-half penalty from Lee Eul-Yong.
Hiddink admitted Lee was not the first-choice penalty taker.
"We have a sequence and he was second," he said.
"He failed but that is part of football."
And Hiddink praised Friedel for his outstanding display.
"Their goalie was tremendous but from five to six open chances you must score at least one," Hiddink said.
South Korea share the lead at the top of Group D with the USA.
They face Portugal in their final game and a draw will take them through to the second round.
Hiddink said: "Portugal are high-ranked. We are outsiders but we are now very competitive with the world's highest teams."
"Step by step, I want more," he added.