In an interview with local media, Tottenham Son Heung-min of the English Premier League (EPL) drew attention by saying, “It’s really not good to talk again,” looking back on the pain of being eliminated from the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup.
The British media Standard said on the 12th (Korea time), “Tottenham’s captain said that returning to the club is helping heal the pain of being eliminated from the Asian Cup.”
Son Heung-min joined the national soccer team led by coach Jurgen Klinsmann (Germany) and led his team to the semifinals through the Asian Cup, which ended on the 12th. Wearing the captain’s armband in the national team, he scored three goals in the tournament alone and was active. In particular, in the quarterfinals against Australia, he scored an exquisite free-kick goal at the end of the first half of extra time, leading his team to a 2-1 victory. Son Heung-min met Australia in the final of the same tournament nine years ago and lost 1-2, which was the result of a clean sweep.
The Korean team challenged for the first Asian Cup championship in 64 years. However, the team ended its journey by losing 0-2 to Jordan, which it faced in the semifinals. The Golden Generation, which had Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Hwang In-beom (Tsrvena Zvezda) and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), packed their bags with humiliation of zero effective shots against Jordan.
The aftermath was fierce. “The coach may not pick me. I don’t know the future,” Son said when asked about the upcoming call-up after the match.
The arrow of criticism was directed at Klinsmann, who displayed incomprehensible tactical operations throughout the entire competition. After controversy over frequent overseas trips and telecommuting, Klinsmann displayed lower-than-expected results at the Asian Cup. This is why on-site reporters asked questions about whether he would resign. In response, Klinsmann dismissed the possibility of resignation, saying, “I will go back to Korea and look back on the competition.”
Ironically, such coach Klinsmann immediately headed to the U.S.A. The schedule for his return is also uncertain. Korea will convene its next national team in March for two consecutive rounds of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup North-Central America, which will depend on what changes the national team will make in the meantime.
Meanwhile, Son has already failed three times due to his elimination at the Asian Cup. He received his report card of third, second and quarterfinals. “It’s really not good to talk about the competition again,” Son told Standard Sport. “It’s hard to accept, but this is part of soccer. It really hurt, but it’s healing to be able to laugh while playing soccer again like Saturday.” 유흥알바
Son Heung-min became the bluebird of victory in his return to Tottenham. He was replaced in the 17th minute of the second half in the 24th round of the 2023-24 EPL against Brighton and Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, on the 11th, and played on the ground for 28 minutes. It was a short time, but Son’s power came at the moment when it mattered most. He helped his team turn the tables by delivering a perfect pass to Brennan Johnson during the last-minute counterattack in the second half. It was a superb assist to lead Tottenham to fourth place.
After the match, Son said, “I wanted to be a member of Tottenham again. I want to help my team as much as I can.”