"Korea national team captain" Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) is still going strong. The aging curve has not arrived yet.
The national soccer team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, suffered a 0-4 rout by Ivory Coast in the March final rehearsal ahead of the June North and Central America World Cup, then bowed 0-1 to Austria. It is starkly contrasted by Japan beating Scotland and England 1-0 each.
There were also claims that Korea's poor form is due to the aging of star players such as Son Heung-min. In the Austria match, there was a scene in which Son Heung-min collected Lee Kang-in's killer pass near the front and faced the goalkeeper but failed to convert it into a goal. Critics said that if it had been Son Heung-min at his prime, he would have scored.
When asked about the "aging curve," Son Heung-min reacted sensitively, saying, "There was a time at Tottenham when I went 10 matches without scoring. Did you think that then too? If I think my skills are not enough, I will step down from the national team."
Son Heung-min proved his worth himself. He produced as many as four assists in the first half against Orlando City, leading to a 6-0 rout. There were still disappointed voices saying "he focuses more on passing than his own scoring."
Son Heung-min broke free from the rut of 10 consecutive scoreless matches by scoring his first field goal against Cruz Azul. He still shows a selfless tendency to look after teammates, but when an opportunity came he did not miss the chance to score. His world-class finishing remained.
Legend Lee Chun-soo worried about Son Heung-min's scoreless run, saying, "When a shooting scene comes out, he becomes the most threatening player. Heung-min passes in that scene. Son Heung-min was actually a player who gave a lot of passes at Tottenham. He is a very selfless player. Still, there are no chances within the team. That must not continue into the World Cup. It's regrettable."
It was unfounded worry. Son Heung-min is still going strong. With only two months left until the North and Central America World Cup, Son Heung-min is showing unchanged form. The key now is how coach Hong Myung-bo and his national team teammates utilize and support Son Heung-min. If Son Heung-min, who is flying at his club, is sluggish with the national team, there is something wrong.
[OSEN]