'Hamstring' Son Heung-min excluded from the call-up of the A-team'Direct Communication'Director Hong Myung-bo'Captain'Decision to protect → Hong Hyun-seok's replacement
Oct 04, 2024
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National team coach Hong Myung-bo has decided to exclude Son Heung-min, who has a hamstring injury (back muscle of the thigh), from the two consecutive A matches in October to protect the player. The Korea Football Association decided on the 4th that Son Heung-min needed a break due to an injury to his left thigh, so he decided to exclude the October call-up to protect the player" he announced. In place of Son Heung-min, Hong Hyun-seok (Mintzen) was selected as a substitute.
On Sept. 30, Hong unveiled 26 Taegeuk Warriors who will compete in two straight A matches this month at the Shinmun-ro Football Center in Seoul. South Korea will play the third Group B match against Jordan in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup at 11 p.m. on the 10th (Korea time) at Amam International Stadium in Jordan. He then returns home by chartered plane and battles Iraq at Mir Stadium in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, at 8 p.m. on the 15th.
But Son Heung-min was a question mark. He collapsed in the first round of the 2024-2025 Europa League (UEL) phase against Karabakh (Azerbaijan) on the 26th of last month.
He was uncomfortable touching his hamstring (back muscle of the thigh) from the beginning of the second half. Tottenham held a shaky 1-0 lead amid an 11-10 numerical inferiority.
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Son Heung-min was replaced by Timo Werner in the 26th minute of the second half. He went straight into the locker room for treatment without sitting on the bench.
Son Heung-min missed for the first time in the sixth round of the English Premier League (EPL) against Manchester United on the 30th. Tottenham won 2-1 in the second round of the UEL League phase against Ferencvaros at the Groupama Arena in Budapest, Hungary on the 4th. Son Heung-min did not accompany Hungary on the road to recovery and missed his second consecutive game.
A hamstring injury can cause further anger if overstretched. Coach Hong put Son Heung-min on board, but he already said that player protection is a priority.
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And "Son Heung-min himself will want to play even if he has difficulties. That's how it's been so far. Many people may wish, but I don't want to overdo it like that and put the player through difficulties. "We have a plan B in case it doesn't work out…" Son Heung-min can have several players in the position. Hwang Hee-chan, Bae Joon-ho and Lee Jae-sung can all play. Of course, I don't know how Son Heung-min will affect other parts when he doesn't come out. I think there are enough substitute players in that position," he stressed.
Coach Hong is also known to have communicated directly with Son Heung-min during the process of excluding the final call-up. Son's absence is 'emergency' But it can't be helped. You have to count on 'Plan B'.
South Korea has recorded nine wins, two draws and two losses in 13 A matches since Paulo Bento's time, when Son Heung-min missed due to hamstring, calf, orbital fracture and hernia injuries. They lost only to Japan and Peru. In the Asian qualifying round, he grabbed a game to catch without Son Heung-min.
Hong Myung-bo will be called up on the night of the 6th and leave the country immediately, while overseas players will join Jordan directly.
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