South Korea called captain Son Heung-min (32, Tottenham) and midfielder Lee Kang-in (23, PSG), who had a conflict, to the national team without any disciplinary action. Thailand accepted the unfavorable situation, but also did not forget to respond, “Are we that strong?”
Korea, ranked 22nd in the world, will play against Thailand, ranked 101st in the world, on March 21st and 26th in the home and away matches of Group C in the second round of the Asian qualifying round for the 23rd FIFA North-Central American World Cup. Coach Hwang Sun-hong (56), who is under 23 years old, will take the helm in two matches.
Coach Hwang Sun-hong called Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in as the interim head coach of Team A. The daily Shamkilaiwan said, “Korea is likely to field the two despite many issues and doubts. It seems that high-quality manpower is needed to face Thailand.”
With a history of 39 years, “Shamkylalaiwan” is Thailand’s most-selling newspaper. Korea was eliminated from the 18th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup due to a 0-2 defeat in the semifinal against Jordan, ranked 70th in the world. Lee Kang-in greatly damaged the team’s atmosphere by ignoring the rules set by captain Son Heung-min after dinner on the eve of the semifinal.
“The Asian Cup caused a stir, but Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in are likely to play a pivotal role in the Korean national team against Thailand,” “Shamkil Laiwan” predicted, and introduced Son Heung-min to a Thai reader, saying, “At that time, Son Heung-min broke his finger due to the disturbance caused by Lee Kang-in.”
Earlier, Thai media and expert groups predicted that the Korea Football Association would deal with the Asian Cup controversy by briefly depriving Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in of their national team status or not selecting them for a certain period of time.
“In terms of skills, Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in are the pillars of the national team,” said Shakilalaiwan. Without both, the weakening of South Korea’s power was inevitable. Thailand would have been advantageous because it had more opportunities to do something.”
Son Heung-min, the top scorer in the 2021-22 English Premier League (EPL), led the attack on South Korea in the previous Asian Cup with three goals and one assist, and Lee Kang-in, the MVP of the 2023 French Professional Football Confederation Super Cup, led the attack on South Korea in the previous Asian Cup with two goals and one assist. 유흥알바
If the scope is expanded to A matches since last year, Son Heung-min scored six points and three assists, and Lee Kang-in scored four points and four assists. “Shamkillraiwan” said to Thailand, “He is Son Heung-min, who has wrapped up his junior to forgive Lee Kang-in, but doubts have not yet disappeared from Korean public opinion.”