DOHERTY: WOLVES HOWL FOR MORE
HEUNG-MIN SON could tackle gruelling chemical warfare training, firing exercises using live ammunition and an 18-mile forced march during his military service in South Korea.
The Tottenham striker begins a three-week stint on April 20, and has been posted to a Marine unit on the southernmost island of Jeju.
All able-bodied men are required to serve for about two years in South Korea, which is technically still at war with the North, but Son earned an exemption from the full term for leading his country to football gold at the
2018 Asian Games.
The suspension of the Premier
League due to coronavirus has allowed
MATT DOHERTY says killing off the season would be a huge disappointment for Wolves.
With the men from Molineux sixth in the Premier League, chasing down a Champions him an opportunity for a shortened version of the usual tough boot camp without missing games. Son returned home from London at the start of the month and is in self-quarantine in line with tightened entry rules to the country. Once that is over he will face a tough regime in the Marine Corps of strict discipline, combat drills and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear exercises (CBRN). A video posted by South Korea’s Military Manpower Administration showed a group of soldiers on CBRN training. After a few minutes they are let out of a chamber, tears streaming down their faces, and pour water over their heads.
“The CBRN training is usually the toughest part of the boot camp,” the video says. While it is not
League spot, Doherty (right) said: “If we don’t finish, it will leave a sour taste. I want to see the games out, of course.
“Champions League football is a possibility and we’re already in the knockout stages clear if Son, 27, will go on all the exercises, a Marine Corps spokesman confirmed he would wrap up his service with a “loaded” group march – which means carrying a full pack – of up to 18 miles.
“Once you’re in the military, you should be able to fire a rifle, breathe in the gas and participate in a battle, rolling and crawling around the field,” the spokesman said.
“During the march, our regular Marine Corps recruits would bring 40kg of equipment, but it could be lighter for alternative trainees depending on the programme.”
Medical checks would be carried out on all servicemen, and they will maintain distance during training in line with coronavirus advice.
Son has not played since February, when he broke an arm in a 3-2 win at Aston Villa, and was not due back until early next month at the earliest, which in normal circumstances would be the end of the season. in the Europa League. It might have been a different story if we had 20 games left – it would just be impossible then.
“But, having nine games left, you could get through them all pretty quickly.”