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A-match total of 50 goals, Son Heung-min
(Kuwait City=Yonhap News) Reporter Hwang Kwang-mo = The match between South Korea and Kuwait in the 5th Group B match of the 2020 North-China World Cup Asia qualifying round held at Jabeur Al Ahmed International Stadium in Kuwait on the afternoon of the 14th (local time). South Korea's Son Heung-min is delighted after scoring a penalty. 2024.11.14
hkmpooh@yna.co.kr
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'찰칵!' Son Heung-min celebrating (Kuwait City = Yonhap News) Reporter Hwang Kwang-mo = The match between South Korea and Kuwait in the 5th Group B match of the third qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup in Asia at Jabeur Al Ahmed International Stadium in Kuwait on the afternoon of the 14th (local time). South Korean Son Heung-min is celebrating after scoring a penalty kick. 2024.11.14
hkmpooh@yna.co.kr
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"It's an honor just to be mentioned with your seniors."
It was a humble speech from Son Heung-min (Tottenham), who scored his 50th A-match goal. South Korea won 3-1 with consecutive goals by Oh Se-hoon (Machida), Son Heung-min (Tottenham) and Bae Joon-ho (Stoke City) in the fifth Group B match of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup against Kuwait at 11 p.m. on the 14th (Korea time). South Korea won four consecutive games and led Group B with 13 points. In the third qualifying round, the first and second places in each group will win a ticket to the World Cup finals. Through this victory, he took a big step closer to advancing to the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time.
Coach Hong Myung-bo abruptly included Son Heung-min (Tottenham) in the starting list of the team 'Captain'. Son Heung-min failed to join the A-match in October due to a hamstring injury. Son Heung-min has since repeatedly played and missed his team. Fortunately, he recently played in Aston Villa (4-1 wins), Galatasaray (2-3 losses), and Ipswich (1-2 losses). In particular, he played full time for the first time since his return against Ipswich.
Son Heung-min joined the national team on the 12th, but he was cautious. Tottenham manager Enze Postecoglou said "We want a healthy Son Heung-min. I hope Son Heung-min will maintain good physical condition and contribute to each team"We asked for adjustment of the playing time. Coach Hong also plans to protect Son Heung-min as much as possible through selection and concentration. He said in a pre-match press conference, `It is not the stage to say whether Son Heung-min will participate or not. After the training, I will decide the playing time considering the overall situation."
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Dribbling Son Heung-min
(Kuwait City=Yonhap News) Reporter Hwang Kwang-mo = The match between South Korea and Kuwait in the 5th Group B match of the 2026 North-China World Cup Asian region held at Jabeur Al Ahmed International Stadium in Kuwait on the afternoon of the 14th (local time). South Korea's Son Heung-min is dribbling. 2024.11.14
hkmpooh@yna.co.kr
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Son Heung-min lived up to his expectations. He targeted Kuwait's defense with active movements. He even scored in the 16th minute of the first half. Lee Jae-sung (Mints) stabbed Son Heung-min, who was penetrating into the center after a return pass with Oh Se-hoon (Manchida). In the process of Son Heung-min holding the ball and entering, he tripped over Kuwait's defense. The referee declared a penalty. Son Heung-min stepped up as a kicker. Deceiving the goalkeeper, he calmly succeeded on the other side. 50th goal of the A-match. Son Heung-min was on par with Hwang Sun-hong (50 goals) as a legendary striker. He tied for second place with the most goals in the A-match history of Korean men's soccer.
South Korea beat Kuwait with a perfect performance, including Son Heung-min's score. Hong pulled out a 4-2-3-1 card. Compared to the last Iraq match, only the left wing and one spot have changed. Son Heung-min was put in place of Bae Joon-ho (Stoke City). Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) duo stepped up to the left and right wings. Oh Se-hoon stood at the front line, and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) was the central attacking midfielder. Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) and Park Yong-woo (Al Ain) were in the third line. Lee Myung-jae (Ulsan), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Cho Yoo-min (Sharja) and Seol Young-woo (Zvezda) made the four backs. Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan) defended the goal.
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Son Heung-min who scores a penalty kick
(Kuwait City=Yonhap News) Reporter Hwang Kwang-mo = The match between South Korea and Kuwait in the 5th Group B match of the 2026 North-China World Cup Asian region held at Jabeur Al Ahmed International Stadium in Kuwait on the afternoon of the 14th (local time). South Korea's Son Heung-min is scoring a penalty. 2024.11.14
hkmpooh@yna.co.kr
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South Korea led in the ninth minute of the first half with Oh Se-hoon's first goal after receiving Hwang In-beom's cross. Son Heung-min's additional goal later widened the score. However, he gave up a goal in the 15th minute of the second half. Majed, who was replaced, broke through and crossed his left foot. Daham made a powerful right footed shot after trapping nicely. It went beyond goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo and led to a score.
In the 28th minute of the second half, when Kuwait's momentum was rising, South Korea sealed the game. Hwang In-beom stabbed an exquisite pass to Bae Joon-ho, who was penetrating. Bae Joon-ho shook Kuwait's net with a right-footed shot after beating one defense after a nice touch. It was a score that silenced Kuwait, which had been gaining momentum. In the end, Korea finished the complete victory.
After the game, Son Heung-min said, `It's always nice to win. The players worked hard every day and were able to win. You might think it was an easy game, but it wasn't. I'm happy that my efforts turned out to be a result on the field."
As for his 50th A-match goal, "I'm grateful to even get the opportunity. I am grateful to my colleagues and coaching staff. I played for the first time in a long time, and I was able to score a goal because the players helped me. It's an honor just to be mentioned by name (with seniors)."
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Son Heung-min greeting his fans
(Kuwait City=Yonhap News) Reporter Hwang Kwang-mo = The match between South Korea and Kuwait in the 5th Group B match of the 2020 North-China World Cup Asia qualifying round held at Jabeur Al Ahmed International Stadium in Kuwait on the afternoon of the 14th (local time). South Korean Son Heung-min greets his fans after winning 3-1. 2024.11.15
hkmpooh@yna.co.kr
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Winning Son Heung-min
(Kuwait City=Yonhap News) Reporter Hwang Kwang-mo = The match between South Korea and Kuwait in the 5th Group B match of the 2026 North-China World Cup Asian region held at Jabeur Al Ahmed International Stadium in Kuwait on the afternoon of the 14th (local time). South Korean Son Heung-min claps after winning 3-1. 2024.11.15
hkmpooh@yna.co.kr
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"I'm in really good shape. I'm back to my original condition. It was possible because you managed it well. Son Heung-min, who said he could play 100% in the next game, expressed concern because he did not get off to a good start. I want to show a good performance in the next game. It's only a few days away, but I hope I can win the last game of the year. I want to say to the test takers that you worked hard."
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
