After joining the national team on the 12th, he trained normally with a bright face.
Hong Myung-boho, World Cup 3rd qualifying round 5th match today at 11 PM
Son Heung-min (Tottenham) completed training with a bright smile ahead of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup Asian region third qualifying round match against Kuwait. Son Heung-min, who will wear the national team’s red uniform for the first time in two months, is aiming for his 50th goal in an international match for the third time in Korean soccer history.
The national soccer team led by coach Hong Myung-bo conducted its final training in preparation for the game against Kuwait at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City, Kuwait, on the 13th local time. Son Heung-min also showed a bright expression and completed training without difficulty along with his teammates.
Korea, which is at the top of Group B of the World Cup 3rd preliminary round with 3 wins, 1 draw (10 points), will play the 5th round of the preliminary round against Kuwait (3 draws, 1 loss, 3 points) at the same venue at 11 PM (Korean time) on the 14th. .
It is a must-win game for Korea, which is aiming to advance to the World Cup finals for the 11th time in a row.
Since the gap with 2nd place Jordan and 3rd place Iraq (7 points) is not large, if Kuwait falls behind, the burden on the remaining preliminary matches may increase. Korea is ahead in terms of objective power, but Kuwait is also likely to fight back with multiple forces, so we must not let our guard down.
Hong Myung-boho’s sure-to-win card is ‘returning captain’ Son Heung-min. Son Heung-min, who missed the Jordan-Iraq match last month due to a hamstring (muscle behind the thigh) injury, is back on board with Hong Myung-bo.
Son Heung-min, who scored 49 goals in 129 international matches, is the national team’s most reliable goalscorer. In the match against Oman (Korea won 3-1) on September 10, he scored 1 goal and 2 assists, including scoring the winning goal with a powerful mid-range shot in the 38th minute of the second half, leading Hong Myung-Boho to his first victory.
He is the most reliable and reliable attack option, but his physical condition is cautious.
Son Heung-min was unable to play in six games with his team due to a hamstring injury, and even after returning, his playing time was adjusted to prevent injury. He played full-time in the match against Ipswich in the English Premier League (EPL) just before being called up to the national team, but there were consequences from the long distance travel. He was the latest to join the national team on the 12th, along with Seol Young-woo (Zvezda) and Oh Hyun-gyu (Genk).
Fortunately, the condition doesn’t seem to be bad. Son Heung-min trained twice after being called up to the national team, but did not lose his bright smile and composure. Even in the national team training video released by the Korea Football Association, there was no sign of physical discomfort, including hamstrings.
Coach Hong is struggling with how to effectively utilize Son Heung-min. They are showing a cautious attitude by not confirming whether Son Heung-min will play until the day before the game.
First of all, Son Heung-min is showing a strong will to participate in the game against Kuwait, so it is expected that he will be used in some form.
If Son Heung-min, who scored 5 goals in this year’s international match alone, scores against Kuwait as well, he will become the third player in history to reach 50 international goals, following Cha Bum-geun (58 goals) and Hwang Seon-hong (50 goals). Furthermore, if he scores two or more goals, he will surpass Hwang Seon-hong and become the second highest scorer in A matches.
According to the Korea Football Association, Son Heung-min said at the players’ meeting, “Let’s not miss the game against Kuwait as it is a great opportunity to show off our best skills.” Let’s do our best,” he encouraged the players.
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How does player fitness affect a national team’s strategy in crucial matches?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Soccer Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special interview segment. Today, we have with us Dr. Ji-hoon Lee, a renowned sports analyst and former player. Dr. Lee, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Ji-hoon Lee: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss the current state of our national soccer team.
Editor: Excitement is in the air ahead of the World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait. Can you tell us about Son Heung-min’s recent training and his anticipated impact on the game?
Dr. Lee: Absolutely! Son has been a pivotal player for the national team, and it’s great to see him back after his hamstring injury. His bright demeanor during training is encouraging. He’s looking sharp and ready to lead the team to victory.
Editor: You mentioned his bright demeanor. How important is a player’s mental state in high-stakes matches like this?
Dr. Lee: A player’s mental state is crucial. Soccer isn’t just a physical game; it’s also highly psychological. A confident player, especially someone like Son, can uplift the entire team. His positivity can translate to better team performance, particularly in a must-win scenario like this one.
Editor: Korea tops Group B currently, but there’s a close competition with teams like Jordan and Iraq trailing behind. How does the team need to approach this match against Kuwait to ensure victory?
Dr. Lee: The team must go into this match with a clear game plan. They need to control possession, pressure the Kuwaiti defense, and capitalize on any goal-scoring opportunities. Given that Kuwait has a solid defensive record with 3 draws and only 1 loss, Korea needs to break through early to establish dominance.
Editor: Son is looking to score his 50th international goal and become one of the top scorers in Korean soccer history. How does individual achievement play into the team dynamic?
Dr. Lee: Individual achievements can motivate not only the player but the entire squad. When a key player like Son is chasing records, it creates a buzz in the team. At the same time, the focus must remain on the collective goal of winning. If Son scores, it’s a personal triumph, but it should also come as part of a concerted team effort.
Editor: The coach, Hong Myung-bo, is being cautious with Son’s playing time. What strategy do you think Hong should adopt regarding Son’s inclusion in the match?
Dr. Lee: It’s a balancing act. While Son’s fitness is paramount, his experience and skill are invaluable. If he can manage 60-70 minutes, that could be ideal. Utilizing him as a substitute, if needed, could also be effective, depending on how the game unfolds. They need to assess the situation during the match closely.
Editor: what do you think we can expect from this match both in terms of the result and its implications for the national team moving forward?
Dr. Lee: A win against Kuwait is essential not just for points but for morale as they push toward the World Cup. If Korea performs well and secures a decisive victory, it will bolster their confidence heading into subsequent matches. However, a loss could increase pressure in the remaining qualifiers.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lee, for sharing your insights! Let’s hope for an exciting match tonight and a solid performance from our team.
Dr. Lee: Thank you! Looking forward to it. Let’s cheer them on!