EPL striker avoids military duty
Tottenham forward Son Heungmin will get to skip military service.
Son avoided the service obligation when South Korea defeated Japan 2-1 in the Asian Games football final on Saturday.
The South Korean government rewards holders of Asian Games gold medals and all Olympic medals with the exemption.
Military service is compulsory for South Korean males, and Son would have faced at least 21 months of service and the loss of millions in income.
Son had a hand in both goals, and ran wildly around the field at the end, hugging team-mates while hundreds of South Korea flags were whipped about in the stands. He has thanked Tottenham for allowing him to play in Indonesia, where he captained South Korea.
‘‘I feel great, feel unbelievable, feel amazing,’’ he said.
With the match in extra time after 0-0 in regulation, Son got the break he wanted from teammate Lee Seung-woo.
In the 93rd minute, Son broke toward the middle and shuffled a pass to Lee, who drove the ball with his left foot into the top of the net. He immediately posed atop signage beside the field, celebrating his minute of glory.
South Korea clinched it eight minutes later on a leaping header inside the far post from Hwang Hee-chan.
The 101st-minute goal prompted Son to embrace South Korea coach Kim Hak-bum on the sidelines.
Japan’s Ayase Ueda scored on a header with five minutes left to make it close.
Son almost got the winning goal himself but his shot just seconds into extra time sailed inches wide of the far post.