Son Heung-min Breaks Korean Record for Most Goals in a Single European League Season

Season 18·19 Goals... Sole 2nd in EPL Scoring Rankings
"Top Scorer Is My Dream... I Want to Play in the UCL"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min broke the record for the most goals scored in a single European league season by a Korean player, previously held by former national team coach Cha Bum-kun. On the 1st (Korean time), Son started in the 35th round home match of the 2021-2022 English Premier League (EPL) season against Leicester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, UK, and scored multiple goals.

The first goal came in the 15th minute of the second half when the team was leading 1-0. Son penetrated the center of the penalty area with his back to the goal and received a pass from Dejan Kulusevski. He quickly turned his body to the left and fired a left-footed shot that shook the right corner of the goal. This was his 18th goal of the season, surpassing the record for the most goals scored in a single European league season by a Korean footballer, previously set by himself last season and Cha Bum-kun 36 years ago. Cha scored seventeen goals in the 1985-1986 Bundesliga season while playing for Leverkusen.

The additional goal came in the 34th minute of the second half when the team was leading 2-0. Son received a pass from Kulusevski on the right side of the penalty arc and unleashed his trademark left-footed curling shot. The ball arced beautifully and hit the upper part of the opposite goalpost. This was his 19th goal of the season. Son rose to sole possession of second place in the EPL scoring rankings, two goals ahead of third-place Cristiano Ronaldo (17 goals, Manchester United). The gap with the top scorer Mohamed Salah (22 goals, Liverpool) is three goals. With four matches remaining, he still has a chance to catch up.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

After the match, when asked by reporters if he had ambitions to be the top scorer, Son said, "Whenever I get the chance, I will always try to score. Being the top scorer is my dream." However, he emphasized, "The most important thing is the team's victory." Tottenham is currently making every effort to join the top four, which qualifies for the UEFA Champions League (UCL). They are currently 5th (61 points), just two points behind 4th place Arsenal (63 points). Son said, "We want to finish the season in a position that qualifies for the UCL. I want to play in the UCL."

Son also recorded his 7th assist of the season in the 22nd minute of the first half. He delivered a corner kick from the right, which Harry Kane connected with a header to shake the net. Son is two points away from his personal best offensive points total of 27 (17 goals and 10 assists) recorded last season. He is also aiming for a 10-10 season (10+ goals and 10+ assists) for the third consecutive season. Only four players, including Wayne Rooney (5 times), have achieved 10-10 seasons three or more times, but no player has done so consecutively.