Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur), the captain of the national soccer team, is trying to break a milestone after returning from injury.
Coach Hong Myung-bo selected Son Heung-min by announcing the list of national soccer teams to play in Group B 5 and 6 of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup at the soccer center in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 4th.
Son Heung-min, who was unable to accompany him due to a hamstring (muscle behind his thigh) injury during the A match last month, re-routed Hong Myung-bo.
“I think we’ve confirmed everything that Son Heung-min came back from playing in the game,” coach Hong said at a press conference to announce the list. “But the national team should also keep an eye on Son’s playing time.”
“(Son Heung-min) has two games left in his team before the national team is called up, and he will consider how he will use it in the upcoming two consecutive games,” he added.
“The most important thing is the basic principle of protecting Son’s condition and physical condition,” said Hong, who emphasized that he will manage Son in the long run.
Son Heung-min wears the national flag again with extraordinary motivation.
Son Heung-min, who made his national team debut in 2010, has 49 goals in 129 A matches.
When looking at the most points scored and most played in A matches in the history of Korean men’s soccer, they are ranked third and fourth, respectively.
First, Son Heung-min will surpass Hwang Sun-hong, manager of Daejeon Hana Citizen, in the second place (50 goals) in the most goals scored.
Next, Cha Bum-keun, former coach of “Korean soccer legend,” will challenge for the most points (58 goals).
In addition, Cha and Hong’s record of tying for first place (136 games) in the most A matches is not far away.
If Son Heung-min maintains his current performance, he is expected to be able to break both records.
Hong Myung-bo will enter the two consecutive away games in the Middle East with his returning captain Son Heung-min.
Game 5 against Kuwait will be held at the Jabeur Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City, Kuwait, at 11 p.m. on the 14th.
Five days later, the match against Palestine, scheduled for 11 p.m. on the 19th, will be held as a neutral match at Amman International Stadium in Amman, Jordan. 안전놀이터
He has 12 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses in 24 matches against Kuwait and 1 draw against Palestine.
South Korea, which is leading Group B, is determined to increase its chances of advancing to the finals for the 11th consecutive time by catching Kuwait and Palestine.
Coach Hong warned, “I don’t know if you think the opponent is a weak team, but it’s an important and difficult match for us,” adding, “I want to say clearly that it’s an important match beyond last October.”
In fact, South Korea needs to prepare thoroughly as it drew without scoring after a rough match against Palestine just before.