Son Heung-min, Long-Awaited 'Camera Celebration'... Korea Defeats Syria for 2 Consecutive Wins in Final Qualifiers

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Ansan=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The national soccer team secured a second consecutive win by defeating Syria, led by captain Son Heung-min's precious winning goal.

Led by coach Paulo Bento, the team defeated Syria 2-1 in the third match of Group A in the final round of the Qatar World Cup qualifiers held on the 7th at Ansan Wa~ Stadium.

With this victory, South Korea recorded 2 wins and 1 draw, earning 7 points, surpassing Iran (2 wins, 6 points) who has played one more match, and rose to the top of Group A. This also created a positive atmosphere ahead of the upcoming away match against Iran.

Son Heung-min fought hard, scoring his first goal in this World Cup final qualifier. Having been somewhat frustrated by his lack of goals for the national team compared to his club, Son smiled brightly after scoring and performing the camera celebration that had only been seen on the English Premier League stage.

The national team deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, placing Hwang Ui-jo, who plays for Bordeaux in France's Ligue 1, as the lone striker.

In the second line, the "England duo" Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan joined Song Min-kyu. The midfield was handled by Hwang In-beom, known as coach Bento's crown prince, alongside Jung Woo-young. The defensive line consisted of Hong Chul, Kim Young-gwon, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Yong. Kim Seung-gyu guarded the goal.

South Korea took control from the early minutes and targeted Syria's goal. In the 18th minute of the first half, a cross from Lee Yong on the right side deflected off a defender and came low, and Hwang Ui-jo tried to push it in but was stopped by the goalkeeper. Immediately following the corner kick, Song Min-kyu's header hit the crossbar.

In the 16th minute, Son Heung-min delivered a slightly long corner kick, which Hwang In-beom volleyed, but it went high. In the 17th minute, Syria counterattacked. Forward Al Soma aimed a sharp long-range shot at the lower left corner of our goal, but it was caught by Kim Seung-gyu's fingertips.

In the 22nd minute, an attacking chance developed on the right side and connected to Hwang Hee-chan, who was holding position on the left in front of Syria's goal, but his shot went high. Towards the end of the first half, Hwang Ui-jo missed a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper, and Hwang Hee-chan also faced the goalkeeper in front of the goal, but his shot was slightly too high to enter the net.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the second half, the national team intensified their offensive pressure. The opening goal came amid this. Hwang In-beom received a pass from Hwang Hee-chan and fired a left-footed mid-range shot from the center of the arc after a feint, hitting the lower right corner of the net.

After taking the lead, the team made changes in the second line by substituting Song Min-kyu for Lee Jae-sung. By bringing in Lee Jae-sung, who is skilled at ball possession, they aimed to increase ball control and maintain the lead. In the 23rd minute of the second half, Son Heung-min dribbled into the opponent's left side and unleashed a thunderous left-footed shot, but it was blocked by the goalkeeper.

At the 25th minute, the team also substituted Hwang Ui-jo for Lee Dong-jun. This was to rest Hwang Ui-jo ahead of the upcoming away match against Iran. They also intended to exploit the spaces behind Syria's defense, which was pushing forward to equalize, by using Lee Dong-jun's speed.

As the second half progressed, Son Heung-min heated up. In the 28th minute, he took a shot with his right foot between Syria's defenders, but the goalkeeper saved it.

The national team suffered a blow in the second half. In the 38th minute, failing to properly block Syria's right-side attack led to a decisive cross, which Kribin received and shot from the left in front of our goal, leveling the score at 1-1. South Korea quickly substituted Hwang In-beom for Cho Gue-sung to reorganize the formation, increasing the number of attackers.

The change paid off. In the 43rd minute, from a free-kick situation, Kim Min-jae headed the ball, which Son Heung-min calmly received and pushed into the lower left corner of Syria's goal, regaining the lead. The team then maintained the lead well and finished the match with a victory.