It was instant for “national younger brother” Lee Kang-in (23, PSG) to fall to “gold.”
Many things happened in the Korean soccer community in 2024. The most shocking incident was also the rumor of a discord between Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in. The two players collided during the Asian Cup tournament, and it was belatedly revealed that the discord had affected the actual game, which caused a huge stir.
The South Korean national soccer team, led by former coach Jurgen Klinsmann, was eliminated after losing 0-2 to Jordan in the semifinals of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup at Alaiyan Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar on February 7. South Korea’s dream of winning the Asian Cup for the first time in 64 years was finally dashed.
A more shocking incident than South Korea’s failure to win the championship occurred late. Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in suffered a rift during the tournament.
British media “The Sun” reported on the 14th that “Korea had a quarrel with some young players and veteran players, including Lee Kang-in, on the eve of the semifinal match against Jordan. Son Heung-min’s finger dislocated in the process.”
It was true. The Korea Football Association admitted the fact unusually quickly. As the situation grew, Lee Kang-in eventually apologized on social media in the afternoon of the 14th. Lee Kang-in admitted his mistake, saying, “There was an article that he had an argument with Son Heung-min ahead of the Asian Cup semifinal. We have caused great disappointment to soccer fans. I am so sorry.”
Despite his finger injury ahead of the semifinal match, Son did not talk to the outside about the “table tennis incident.” It was questionable why Son suddenly appeared with a bandage on his hand in the semifinal match. There were also full of suspicions that the fact was first revealed through the British media “The Sun,” which did not have on-site coverage of the Asian Cup.
South Korea lost the match against Jordan due to lack of preparation. It is a result theory, but Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in did not work together. An insider confessed, “The two players did not even make eye contact in the locker room at the time.”
Son Heung-min said after being eliminated from the semifinals, “I think I have to think about whether I can continue with the national team in the future. Maybe the coach doesn’t think about me anymore…All the more shocking was his remarks suggesting his retirement. This is because he has yet to imagine a Korean soccer team without Son Heung-min.
Former coach Klinsmann, who was fired after the Asian Cup, raised his anger by not taking any action even after seeing the Lee Kang-in issue in person. Son Heung-min seriously agonized over the retirement of the national team at a time when he lost the trust of his coach and colleagues as a captain.
In the end, Lee Kang-in’s apology put an end to the “table tennis incident.” “I am sorry that the national team captain (Son) Heung-min disappointed the entire team and the soccer fans. I visited London and apologized in person. I would like to thank my brother again for accepting my apology,” Lee wrote on his SNS account on Monday.
Son Heung-min, a big player, also received an apology from Lee Kang-in. Son Heung-min embraced Lee Kang-in by replying, “We will take special care of all our players so that Kang-in can grow into a better person and a better player as a senior member of the national team and as a captain so that Kang-in will never do this wrong thing again.”
The ground solidified after the rain. Son Heung-min’s relationship with Lee Kang-in became stronger. The two players played a decisive role in defeating Thailand 3-0 in the final qualifying round for the national soccer team’s World Cup, which was led by interim coach Hwang Sun-hong in March. 바카라사이트
In particular, the scene where Lee Kang-in’s pass led to Son Heung-min’s additional goal in the 9th minute of the second half was dramatic. When the goal was scored, Lee Kang-in ran to Son Heung-min, and Son Heung-min hugged Lee Kang-in and lifted him up. It was a scene that symbolically showed that the rumors of discord between the two were sealed.
In addition, negative issues such as penalty for former coach Klinsmann, controversy over preferential treatment for Hong Myung-bo, and chairman Chung Mong-gyu’s bid for a fourth term in 2024 have erupted. Soccer fans expect only good news in 2025.