Hong Myung-bo, who has chosen to go head-to-head against criticism, seems to be going to the test from the beginning.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced on Monday that Son Heung-min (32) of Tottenham Hotspur will be excluded from the call-up of the October A-match in order to protect his players. “We have decided that he needs to rest due to the injury in his left thigh.”
Hong Hyun-seok (25, FSV Mainz 05) was named as Son Heung-min’s replacement.
The South Korean national team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will play Jordan in Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup at Amman International Stadium in Jordan on the 10th (Korea Standard Time).
He will then move to Korea and face Iraq at Yongin Mir Stadium on Saturday. Although the team secured an away match against Oman (3-1 win), which was not expected to be easy in September, it left a deep regret as it scored a shock draw (0-0) with the Palestinians.
It is both a crisis and an opportunity for Hong Myung-bo. This is the first time that there has been a series of big and small controversies in and out of the ground since the birth of Korean soccer. The whole nation’s attention is paid to the president.
Amid this development, Son Heung-min, who has a large stake in his team, is leaving the club as a negative factor. However, in a way, a new player can stand out, and everyone can unite in the absence of a captain to seek a reversal of public opinion. We need to think positively as possible. 먹튀검증
Meanwhile, Tottenham manager Engie Postecoglou also opened his mouth on the exclusion of Son from the national team roster. “I don’t think Son will be able to play. He is making efforts, but his recovery is slow. It is natural that he will not be able to play in the national team. He is far from being able to play. It is reasonable that he cannot be called up, and Son understands,” Postecoglou said at a press conference ahead of the match against Brighton and Hove Albion.