Son Heung-min reacts to a mixed zone interview after the match against Thailand. Photo = Reporter Kim Young-gun
45 goals in 124 games A. A player who has been coming to Korea from abroad for 15 years with an injured body to compete for the national team. This is the story of Mab Heung-min ‘Captain’ of South Korea (32).
Son Heung-min revealed his honest feelings about retiring from the national team. He also said how much he appreciates the national team and expressed his gratitude to the fans as he stood at the crossroads of retiring from the national team. Son Heung-min, who is perfect in every way, is probably a role model that Lee Kang-in (23), who is still going through growing pains, should watch and learn from.
The Korean national football team drew 1-1 at home with Thailand in the third Group C match of the ‘2nd North and Central America Asia 2026 World Cup Qualifier’ held at the Sangam World Cup Stadium in Seoul at 8 pm on the 21st. Son Heung-min, who was playing full-time, was responsible for the team’s only goal 1 that day and showed ‘ace quality’.
Regardless of the result, Son Heung-min’s performance was brilliant. The most impressive moment is the scoring scene. In the 42nd minute of the first half, from the left side of the Thai camp, Lee Jae-seong made a 2-on-1 pass with Jung Woo-young and crossed through the opponent’s left line. Son Heung-min, who caught the ball, scored the first goal with a stunning left-footed shot in front of the goal. It was a great shot for a corner that the keeper couldn’t block.
Son Heung-min, who met in the mixed zone after the match, said, “It’s always special to score a goal wearing national team clothes. “I’m so happy I can’t express it,” she said. “It was my goal, but it was the result of the help and role of all the players. It’s been a while since I played in Korea, and I feel good about scoring a goal. “The most disappointing thing is that we didn’t win,” he said overall.
After the Asia Cup, it was reported that Son Heung-min was considering retiring from the national team. It is already 15 years since 2010 that Son Heung-min came all the way from Europe to Korea for one or two games with the national team. Son Heung-min is now in his 30s. Long flight times and unreasonable schedules can take a toll on the body. Nevertheless, Son Heung-min, who loved the national team, always put his body through hardships and boarded a plane to Korea.
Son Heung-min (right) and Lee Kang-in hug after the match against Thailand. random news
When asked about his retirement from the national team, Son Heung-min was speechless for about 10 seconds. Son Heung-min, who said, “It’s a very difficult question,” said, “I never once took the national team for granted. “For that, I was grateful and honored every time,” he said. “That kind of feeling came around the corner,” he admitted.
However, the biggest reason why Son Heung-min did not retire from the national team is the importance of the Taegeuk symbol and the love of the fans. Son Heung-min said, “It’s rare for a football player to be loved this much. In difficult situations, the fans came to think first. “It wasn’t an easy choice,” he said, “I had support from many people, including fans, family, and acquaintances, which helped a lot. It (the national team) is a promise between me and football fans. I really wanted to keep my promise. “I want to grow into a strong person so that I will never again have weak thoughts (retiring from the national team),” he said.
The fact that the team has such a captain is a great advantage for Lee Kang-in, who needs to grow in the future.
Previously, the Korean national team experienced internal troubles due to a conflict within the team known as ‘Table Tennis Gate’. The main story is that there was an argument and a physical fight while Son Heung-min stopped Lee Kang-in from playing table tennis at night. The fact that the present and the future of the national team are in great conflict came as a shock to the fans.
The incident was resolved when the two players reconciled after the tournament. And on this day, Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in worked together for the first time in the stadium after their reconciliation. Lee Kang-in passed a penetrating pass to Son Heung-min, and Son Heung-min, who took over the ball, threatened the goal with a threatening shot.
Son Heung-min said about working with Lee Kang-in, “He is a good and talented player. There is nothing special I need to do. “Lee Kang-in came in as a substitute and changed the atmosphere,” he said. “Our chemistry was improving in the Asia Cup as well. You can always feel the moment Lee Kang-in grows step by step. It’s fun to play together. “I want to do better,” he said. Son Heung-min continued to hug the player even though he had a dispute with him.
On the other hand, unlike Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in did not respond to a mixed zone comment. While Son Heung-min, Joo Min-gyu, and Kim Min-jae gave long mixed zone interviews after the game, Lee Kang-in left the stadium with his hat lowered.
Lee Kang-in greets fans. random news
Lee Kang-in is a player who still has endless development potential. As Son Heung-min said, the talent he already has is great. Even at the age of 23, Lee Kang-in has moved on to Paris Saint-Germain and is ready to show his skills on the European stage. He is so talented that it is difficult to find a similar player in his age group.
Lee Kang-in is very grateful to have Son Heung-min by his side. Son Heung-min is a flawless player in all aspects, including his passion for the national team, his skills, and his personality. Lee Kang-in can watch and learn from these players next to him. Shouldn’t Lee Kang-in’s role model, who should lead the next national team, be Son Heung-min?
Sangam = Reporter Kim Young-gun dudrjs@kukinews.com
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