Son just happy to be in Qatar
Son Heung-Min said that he was just happy to be back after the South Korean skipper returned from a facial injury to play in the 0-0 World Cup stalemate with Uruguay on Thursday.
The striker wore a mask to protect the injury he suffered while playing in the Champions League for Spurs as South Korea took a point in their opener in Qatar.
The 30-year-old had surgery for fractures around his left eye just three weeks ago and this was his first time to play competitively since.
“I feel ok, I’m not the only one to wear a mask, some players wear masks. I feel comfortable,” he told reporters after the Group H game.
“I’m just happy to be here, happy with the mask that I could play, it’s just so amazing.”
Son made minimal impact in a game in which Uruguay twice hit the woodwork, but South Korea coach Paulo Bento said that the superstar striker needed time to get back to his brilliant best.
“We need to put it into context, Son is a player that up until his injury had continuous rhythm, good performances... but he had a serious injury.
“He was inactive for a considerable amount of time, he could only reintegrate into our team in the last few days.
“It’s natural that it will take him some time to readapt after the injury.”
Uruguay coach Diego Alonso hit back at accusations his side was too defensive in the draw, pointing to his attacking line-up.
Alonso started with veteran Luis Suarez, Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez and Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellistri in a forward trio that at times looked disjointed.
“Well obviously the characteristics of the starting XI were mostly attacking players,” said the coach.
“We had Darwin, Suarez and Pellistri, we also had three goalscoring midfielders and fullbacks that can push up.”
He added: “I like to defend higher but in the first half we struggled to do that. In the second half we were better.
“We lacked a bit of precision to create more chances, we lacked the passing combinations we usually have.”