Son Heung-min (LAFC) left disappointing numbers in his England return. He failed to record any attacking points due to poor condition. Goals 0, assists 0. The Athletic pointed this out.
The South Korea national team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, lost 0-4 to Ivory Coast on the 28th (Korea time) at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England.
Son Heung-min, who started on the bench with a slight cold, was brought on in the 58th minute for Bae Jun-ho and played about 32 minutes but could not change the course of the game.
The start was not bad. In the 19th minute of the first half, Oh Hyun-kyu's shot hit the post, and in the 42nd minute of the first half, Seol Young-woo's right-footed shot also struck the post. They created several chances but failed to finish.
By contrast, Ivory Coast did not miss their chances. In the 35th minute of the first half, Evan Gausah scored the opening goal, and in first-half stoppage time, Simon Adingra added a second. Korea wobbled on the flanks and during transitions and finished the first half down 0-2.
At the start of the second half, coach Hong Myung-bo brought on Yang Hyun-jun, Paik Seung-ho and Lee Han-beom, then followed by Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in and Cho Gyu-sung as he sought a response.
But the momentum did not change. In the 62nd minute, from a corner kick situation, they conceded a third goal to Martial Gohou. In the 76th minute, Lee Kang-in's long-range shot again hit the post.
Just before the final whistle, they conceded to Singo, who received a pass from substitute Ahmad Diallo, and finished the match 0-4.
FootMob, a ratings-focused outlet, gave Son Heung-min a match rating of 6.1. The numbers he recorded in 32 minutes were even harsher. Goals 0, assists 0, shots on target 0, off-target shots 0. He had only one shot, which was blocked by the opponent's defense. Blocked shots 1, successful dribbles 0, successful crosses 0. He attempted one cross but it did not connect accurately.
His presence in the box was also lacking. He touched the opponent's penalty area only once. Ball touches were 23, and attacking-area passes were limited to one. He created one chance but it did not lead to an assist. He attempted one ground duel with 0 successes, and there were no aerial duels at all. He did not win a foul from the opponent, nor did he commit one himself. Defensive stats were also non-existent. Tackles 0, interceptions 0, clearances 0, blocks 0.
A left-footed long-range shot in the 75th minute was his only shot. Even that was blocked by the opponent's defense. In the 85th minute he exchanged passes with Eom Ji-sung and created one shooting opportunity, but Eom Ji-sung's shot was well off target. That was the end of Son Heung-min's sole "chance created".
The Athletic evaluated, "Son Heung-min ultimately failed to break down Ivory Coast's strong defense." The outlet noted, "Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in were both brought on, but Korea did not rebound and instead conceded a third goal."
It was his first match played in England since leaving Tottenham Hotspur last summer to join LAFC. Fans in Tottenham shirts chanted Son Heung-min's name, but not at full fitness he could not change the flow.
In a postmatch broadcast interview, Son Heung-min said, "Football is ultimately a battle of momentum. When chances came we should have turned them into goals. There are disappointing parts in the goals conceded, but the opponent also made good plays."
Regarding his condition, he said, "I had a slight cold even before the call-up. Even so, they managed my condition well. I'm much better now."
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