Son Heung-min confirms he is fit for World Cup
South Korea and Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min confirmed on Wednesday he be available for selection for the World Cup in Qatar after undergoing surgery earlier this month to stabilize a fracture around his left eye.
Son, 30, sustained the injury in Tottenham’s 2-1 Champions League tie at Olympique de Marseille last week following an aerial clash and required lengthy treatment on the pitch before being substituted and walking unsteadily down the tunnel.
“Playing for your country at the World Cup is the dream of so many children growing up, just as it was one of mine too. I won’t miss this for the world,” Son wrote on Instagram.
“I can’t wait to represent our beautiful country, see you soon.”
South Korea’s hopes at the World Cup, which begins in less than three weeks, rest heavily on captain Son, who has scored 35 goals in 104 appearances for his country.
They will kick off their campaign on Nov. 24 against Uruguay and also face Ghana and Portugal in Group H. (Reuters)
Bento not yet planning alternatives for Son
As South Korea’s captain Son Heung-min tries to work his way back from a facial surgery in time for the FIFA World Cup, his national team head coach Paulo Bento does not yet have a plan B in case of possible absence of his biggest offensive weapon.
Son is recovering from surgery on multiple fractures around his left eye, sustained in a collision with an opponent during a UEFA Champions League match on Nov. 1. Son had the procedure last Friday, 20 days before South Korea’s first Group H match at the World Cup, against Uruguay.
Son took to social media Wednesday to declare he will be ready to play with a protective mask on if that’s what it takes to represent the country.
If Son can’t start or even play in the opening group match on Nov. 24, it will leave a glaring hole on South Korea’s front line. But when asked about alternatives if Son isn’t available, Bento said he will cross that bridge when he gets there.
“I am not preparing (for a plan B). This is a far future. It’s not the moment (for such discussions),” Bento said during an online press conference Thursday, the eve of South Korea’s friendly against Iceland. “This is the kind of conversation for other people, not for me.”
Bento squashed any doubt that might have existed on Son’s selection for the World Cup in light of his injury. The coach said the discussion is never about whether Son will be picked or not — “Of course, he’s going to be selected,” Bento said — but about what the team can do to help him get ready for the tournament.
“We know it’s not an easy situation. It’s a situation that’s going to demand certain things and adaptations,” Bento added. “We should let him come and do what he should do. And after that, we have time to make the right decision and best decisions for all of us.”