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'Captain' Son Heung-min (Tottenham) unfortunately missed his return shot.
Tottenham finished the first half of the eighth round of the English Premier League (EPL) 1-1 against West Ham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on the 19th (Korea time). Tottenham is in ninth place with 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses), and West Ham is in 12th place with 8 points (2 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses). Tottenham have won five consecutive games, including the Europa League, and their winning streak was cut in the last Brighton match. He led 2-0 and suffered a shock upset loss of 3-2. There is a desperate need for a reversal.
Son Heung-min is finally back. Son Heung-min started in the 2024-2025 UEFA Europa League (UEL) match of Karabakh FK on the 27th of last month, but was replaced in the 23rd minute of the second half due to an abnormality in his right thigh. After the game, both Son Heung-min and coach Enze Postecoglou said it was not a big problem, but the situation was not. Son Heung-min missed all the following matches against Manchester United, Ferencvaros and Brighton. He did not even join the national team during the A-match period in October. Originally, he was listed on the Hong Myung-bo team, but coach Hong Myung-bo removed his name from the list to protect the players.
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| Reuters Yonhap News |
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Before the match against Manchester United, Postecoglou also said, `Everything is fine except for Son Heung-min. I don't think Son Heung-min is that bad. I'll see how he goes in training and make a decision from there,' but the injury was longer than expected. It was the first time Son Heung-min left the team for such a long time since November 2022, when he was out due to an orbital fracture injury. Even the national team was excluded, and the voices of concern became louder.
Fortunately, he crossed the A-match and recovered quickly. Son Heung-min is reportedly close to returning in person on the 13th. He posted a message on his social media, 'Back soon'(going back soon)', interposing a photo of him wearing a sweat suit and sneakers. Tottenham fans also cheered the post, saying they could not wait. Dr. Rajpal Bra, a V-Sang expert, also said, `Son Heung-min does not appear to be seriously injured. I think I will return after the A match period. But the important thing is how he looks in his training. You have to pass the physical test, and it's up to him to play full time."
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| Photo =Son Heung-min personal SNS capture |
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Coach Postecoglou said in a club interview on the 17th that Son Heung-min will return from the match against West Ham. He said, `Son Heung-min and Hisalysong were good. I trained with my colleagues. It's really positive news for us. Son Heung-min will be ready because he spent this A-match break really well. "I hope both players will be able to participate in the weekend game because the Hisalysong was also good."
Tottenham also released a video of Son Heung-min training with his teammates on its official YouTube channel. Son Heung-min, who appeared at the gym first, seemed to be in a light physical condition. Son Heung-min went to the training ground laughing with his teammates. On the 18th, he released photos of players who returned to the club to participate in training after the A-match period, and posted photos of Son Heung-min smiling in plain clothes.
Coach Postecoglou announced Son Heung-min's return at an official press conference against West Ham. Postecoglou said, `Son Heung-min is in good shape,' adding, `He has trained hard for the past two weeks. I regret not being able to play in the national team, but two weeks was a good time." Then "I had a solid training session. Now I'm ready to get back on the field. to be able to participate" he confirmed.
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As expected, Son was listed on the starting list. Son started on the left wing. Dominic Solanke was at the forefront, while Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson were on the left and right. In the center, James Madison, Dejan Klusevski and Yves Bissouma formed an inverted triangle. The four backs were centered on Christian Romero and Mickey van der Ben, with Destiny Udoghi and Pedro Porro on the left and right. The goal was guarded by Guglielmo Vicario.
West Ham fought back 4-1-4-1. Mikail Antonio stood on the front line, while Mohamed Kudus-Lucas Paqueta-Toma Soucek-Jarrod Bowen sat on the second line. Guido Rodriguez stood for the defensive midfielder. The four-back was made up of Emersong Palmeiri, Max Kilman, Jean-Claire Todibo, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The goalkeeper's gloves were worn by Alphonse Areola.
The first shot came out in the 7th minute of the first half. Johnson's shot missed. 10 min West Ham make a threatening scene. Bowen tried a ground ball cross after breaking through on the right. Kudus jumped in and shot. Vicario saved it with a super save. In the 15th minute, Son Heung-min made a great shot. He attempted a signature right foot swirling shot over Wan Bissaka from the left side of the penalty box. It's a little off. Son Heung-min covered his face and was disappointed.
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The Bowen-Cudus duo, who made a good 10-minute chance, flashed again. 18 min Bowen broke through the right and tried to cut back. Kudus finished by jumping in. West Ham got ahead. A panicked Tottenham went on a general offensive. In the 22nd minute, the West Ham defence cleared Madison's cross just before Johnson was about to header it. In the 25th minute, Porro attempted a mid-range shot, but was out after being defensively hit.
Son Heung-min had a chance at the corner kick that followed. Son Heung-min caught the ball that came back and fired a powerful left-footed shot in front of the defense. He was out after getting hit by the defense.
27 min Tottenham missed a crucial chance. Son Heung-min was the starting point. Woo Do-ji crossed after overlapping the ball that Son Heung-min gave away. Just before getting hit in the head by Johnson, he came out after hitting the West Ham defender on the shoulder. Tottenham's wave offensive continued. Solanke had a chance one after another, but it was a shame to finish.
33 min Madison's sharp ball connected to the prisoner who was a no-mark. Porro's shot deflected off the defense and headed sharply to the goal. Areola saved it nicely. Johnson aimed for a second ball, but Areola did not miss the ball.
35 min Tottenham equalised. Tottenham went on a counterattack after cutting off the ball. Madison gave it to Klusevski, who was on the right. Kulusevski moved to the center and attempted a strong shot with a near post. After being hit by Areola and hit by the right post, he hit the left post again and crossed the goal line.
Kulusevski, who received Son Heung-min's pass in the 39th minute, attempted to shoot from the left. This time, he came out after hitting the defense. In the 42nd minute, Kulusevski's sensational heel kick connected to Udo-gi, who was jumping in. U Do-ki crossed without delay, and the prisoner who was jumping in connected with a volley shot. It's a little off.
West Ham fought back. 45 min With West Ham on the counterattack, Paqueta tries a cross from the left. Kudus fired an acrobatic shot from the right. It came up. The first half ended 1-1.
Son made 19 passes with 30 touches during the first half. created one opportunity. Shooting is number one. The dribble made one successful attempt twice, and the ground contest was also successful once.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
