If he plays against Palestine, he will be in 4th place for the most appearances in A matches
“We will decorate tomorrow with victory and make it memorable.”
Son Heung-min (Tottenham), the captain of the national soccer team who met coach Hong Myung-bo again after 10 years, said that coach Hong’s charisma is needed for the national team.
The Korean national team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, will play the first match of Group B of the 2026 FIFA World Cup North and Central America Asia 3rd qualifying round against Palestine at Seoul World Cup Stadium at 8:00 PM on the 5th.
Son Heung-min attended a pre-match press conference held at the same venue the day before the match and said, “The players have completed training well in a good atmosphere. We are having fun preparing,” and “I hope we can get off to a good start in the final World Cup qualifiers in a good atmosphere.”
Son Heung-min, who was the youngest member of the national team 10 years ago and was coached by Coach Hong, has now grown into a leading figure representing Korean soccer and will once again be working with the team as captain.
Son Heung-min said, “It’s a shame that 10 years have passed so quickly,” but added, “I first worked with the coach during the 2014 Brazil World Cup. Then and now, the coach is the captain, so I don’t think there’s a need to be gentle.”
He added, “It is important to naturally lead the players with charisma from a high position. Both I and the players are aware of this. If we respect each other and follow each other well, it will help us live in a disciplined manner both on and off the field.”
Son Heung-min continues to wear the captain’s armband even under Hong Myung-bo.
He said, “I have been the captain for a long time, but I have never taken it for granted. I was able to play the captain role thanks to the help and sacrifice of many players.”
He added, “I told my colleagues yesterday that new players can feel awkward and intimidated when they come in, so they shouldn’t be like that. When they join the national team, every player has to show their own colors, and that helps the team, so I told them to be confident and do it naturally.”
He also emphasized, “My role is to take the lead in everything I do and set an example so that the players can follow suit,” and “The players just need to show that they have a great sense of responsibility as the national team member and respect it, while trying to satisfy the fans.”
Son Heung-min, who debuted in 2011, has scored 48 goals in 127 A matches.
If he advances to the Palestine match, he will surpass former Korea Football Association Vice President Lee Young-pyo and rise to 4th place in this category.
Son Heung-min said, “Actually, rather than this record, I think more about how to get the best results during the period of being called up to the national team,” and added, “I hope that tomorrow will be remembered as a day that can become a historical record with a win.”
Finally, Son Heung-min emphasized, “There were some issues (during the interim managerial system), but the players held on strong. As the captain, that made me proud,” and “Winning tomorrow’s game is the most important thing. If all the players play with one mind, we will get good results.”
[서울=뉴시스]
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2024-09-05 11:55:33