The captain was the captain. He clearly resolved the conflict among teammates during the match.
Tottenham won 3-1 against AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) in the second leg of the Round of 16 of the 2024-2025 UEFA Europa League (UEL) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, at 5 a.m. (Korea time) on the 14th.
After losing the first leg 0-1 away on the 7th, Tottenham turned it around in the second leg. With an aggregate score of 3-2, they successfully advanced to the quarter-finals.
Tottenham, currently ranked 13th in the English Premier League (EPL), has been eliminated from both the EFL Cup and the FA Cup, leaving the Europa League as the only tournament where they realistically have hopes of winning this season.
Tottenham deployed a 4-3-3 formation. Son Heung-min, Solanke, and Odobert were placed in the attack line. In the midfield, Maddison, Bervival, and Sarr played, while the defense was guarded by Spence, Van der Ven, Romero, and Pedro Porro. The goalkeeper was Vicario.
Son Heung-min led the Tottenham attack. In the 22nd minute of the first half, he delivered a sharp cross from the left side. It seemed like it would connect with a teammate, but the opposing goalkeeper managed to punch the ball away first.
Tottenham scored the opening goal in the 25th minute of the first half. Son Heung-min played a pivotal role. As Alkmaar defender Hook attempted to clear the ball from his own half while under pressure from Son Heung-min, the ball hit Son and deflected towards Tottenham forward Solanke, who was near the box. A counterattack opportunity was quickly created for Tottenham, with Odobert receiving the ball and scoring with a powerful shot.
With Odobert's goal, the aggregate score for the first and second legs was tied at 1-1.
Even as Tottenham diligently sought a second goal, Captain Son Heung-min had to intervene in an argument among teammates about who would take the free kick.
Just before the end of the first half, Tottenham earned a free kick opportunity. At that time, both Maddison and Porro claimed they would take it. As Maddison picked up the ball and prepared to take it, Porro expressed his desire to kick it, leading to a quick conflict among the Tottenham teammates. Son Heung-min calmed an agitated Porro, and Maddison was ultimately decided as the final kicker.
Tottenham Hotspur News reported after the match, citing TNT Sports, saying, "When Tottenham earned a free kick, Maddison was seen taking the ball and preparing to kick. Then Porro expressed his desire to kick, leading to discord between the two. Son Heung-min approached to fulfill his duty as captain and mediate the situation."
[OSEN = Reporter Woo Chung-won]