Son’s return not masking Korea test

SOUTH KOREA head coach Paulo Bento said the country will take ‘no risks’ with man-in-the-mask Heung-Min Son – but he will play against Uruguay today.

The Tottenham forward has been facing a race against time to be fit for this World Cup after suffering multiple fractures of his left eye socket during a Champions League tie in Marseille three weeks ago.

But Bento said: “Son will be able to play.We’ve had a plan since we arrived here and we have stuck to it.The fact he will be wearing a mask won’t be an inconvenience for him. Our hope is that he will feel as comfortable as possible.

“We are looking to manage it as well as we can. He knows – and we know too – that we cannot take any risks.”

Bento is under pressure to deliver in a tough group but the Portuguese put matters into perspective.

He said: “South Korea has only been able to go on [to the knockout stage] twice in the World Cup.

“One of those times was when they hosted the competition with Japan. This proves why we have difficulties.”