“(Kim) Min-jae shouldn’t be in a situation like that. The relationship between the fans and the players should be good.”
This is what Son Heung-min (32, Tottenham Hotspur), the captain of the South Korean national team, said.
Son Heung-min met with reporters in the mixed zone after the first Group B match against Palestine in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the afternoon of the 5th.
Coach Hong Myung-bo (55) drew the first national team head coach match in about a decade after poor performance. Korea, ranked 23rd in FIFA, struggled with Palestine, ranked 96th.
Immediately after the match, Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) approached his fans and made a gesture as if to reassure them. The gesture was made to express regret over boos pouring in before and after the match.
“The relationship between the fans and the players should be good,” Son said. “They came to the stadium to cheer as one. If you say good things to the players one by one rather than in a bad mood, it gives them the energy to take one step further. We should not make an enemy of ourselves. We should think carefully not only as players but also as fans. Please give us a lot of support.”
Son Heung-min, who started against Palestine, stayed on the pitch until the end of the game. There was also a decisive opportunity at the end of the second half, but the shot hit the post and swallowed the disappointment.
On the result of the match, Son Heung-min said, “It is sadder than anyone else when we cannot win. It will be a painful day and night,” adding, “The players did their best in a difficult environment. I don’t think there were only bad scenes. We also created many chances.”
Feeling responsible as a captain, Son said, “I have homework to do. I should not be disappointed yet,” adding, “I have played one game now. I have a chance to play my best game in the third qualifying round. I need to prepare well.”
However, the booing by fans seems to have been a big blow to Son. Son, who was accompanied by enthusiastic cheers from fans, had no choice but to play in somewhat gloomy noise at the upcoming match. Criticism poured in throughout the match against Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, and Hong Myung-bo, coach of the Korea Football Association, at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, where more than 59,000 people gathered. 먹튀검증
Son said, “I’m upset, but I can’t even speak for many fans. The players are doing their best while a new coach has been appointed. The players cannot change the outcome.” “We have no choice but to ask for their support and love for the team members. The players have to trust the coach. Please give us a lot of support.”