Yes, you can say it based on the result! SON, 100% involved in goal → In the end, it was worth its name amid intensive checks
Sep 11, 2024
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South Korea's national soccer team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, won 3-1 against Oman in the second round of the Asian qualifying round of the '2026 North-China World Cup' held at the Sultan Qaboos Stadium in Muscat, Oman on the 10th (Korea time). South Korea scored the first goal in the early hours and seemed to ease the game, but gave up an unexpected equalizer. In the second half, Oman's defense was struggling, and the draw seemed to be coming to reality. However, at the moment of the crisis, Son Heung-min's left foot fired. In addition, Son Heung-min showed off his presence by assisting Hwang Hee-chan and Joo Min-kyu's goals. Amid the intensive checks of the Oman defense, there was a question mark on the overall dominance of the game, but he was directly involved in all three goals and eventually achieved his name value.
Coach Hong Myung-bo, who ended up in a 0-0 draw with Palestine on his home turf in the first round, drastically changed his best 11 against Oman.
As many as five people have changed. Jung Seung-hyun was in the central defense instead of Kim Young-kwon, and Lee Myung-jae was in the left fullback instead of Hwang Moon-ki. Jung Woo-young and Lee Jae-sung were excluded from the midfield and Park Yong-woo and Hwang Hee-chan were selected. In the one-top, Oh Se-hoon got a chance instead of Joo Min-kyu.
The offense worked properly. Hwang In-beom and Park Yong-woo supported their backs, and Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, and Hwang Hee-chan sat in the second line. According to the original position of his team, Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan are expected to be assigned to the left and right wings, and Lee Kang-in is expected to be assigned to the ball in the middle.
However, Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan, and Lee Kang-in frequently changed positions. In particular, Hwang Hee-chan moved wide from right to left. Lee Kang-in and Son Heung-min alternately used the center and dominated the right and left sides. Oman is known to have prepared a thorough interpersonal mark, but it was neutralized by continuously changing seats.
He created a threatening scene from the fourth minute of the first half. Oh Se-hoon won the ball in the air. Lee Kang-in, who was hovering in the center, received a second ball and fired a stinging mid-range shot. The Oman goalkeeper managed to save it.
He easily scored the first goal in the 10th minute of the first half. He passed the throw-in attack from the left side and scored twice. Son Heung-min received the ball and pushed it to Hwang Hee-chan, who penetrated into the center. Hwang Hee-chan momentarily beat Markman in front of the penalty box and grabbed the pass. Hwang Hee-chan, who was free, put in a mid-range gun as it was.
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From the second half, he failed to target Oman's dense defense. In the 23rd minute of the second half, Oh Se-hoon and Seol Young-woo were excluded, and Lee Jae-sung and Hwang Moon-ki were put in to strengthen the attack. Oman fell completely and South Korea retained possession, but failed to create a decisive opportunity.
In the 37th minute of the second half, Son Heung-min scored the winning goal with his personal skills.
Son Heung-min dug into the center by exchanging short passes with Lee Kang-in from the left outside. Son Heung-min received the ball in a very small space but won the ball contest with his back firmly to the defender. Son Heung-min did not delay and opened Oman's goal with his signature left foot swirling.
Korea was given 16 minutes of extra time in the second half, but South Korea kept the lead well. Rather, he made a net goal in the counterattack situation. Son Heung-min drew the defense to the right with an individual breakthrough and gave it to Joo Min-kyu in the center. Joo Min-kyu shot a victory celebration with a direct shot.
dhhan@sportschosun.com
