Underperforming Son Heung-min Shows 'Ace' Presence with Hwang Hee-chan's Winning Goal Assist

[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Son Heung-min, captain of the South Korean national football team who struggled in the 2022 Qatar World Cup due to aftereffects of an orbital fracture, confirmed his presence as an ace with a decisive assist at the most important moment.

On the 3rd (Korean time), Son Heung-min recorded his first attacking point of the tournament by assisting Hwang Hee-chan's final winning goal during stoppage time after regular time in the last Group H match against Portugal at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. The South Korean team achieved a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Portugal thanks to Son Heung-min's crucial performance and advanced to the round of 16.

About two weeks before the tournament began, Son Heung-min suffered a fracture around his left eye during a league match with his club Tottenham and underwent surgery, making his participation in the World Cup uncertain.

Fortunately, Son Heung-min showed a rapid recovery and started from the first group stage match against Uruguay. However, his performance did not meet expectations.

Already under intense defensive pressure from opponents, his vision was obstructed by a protective mask, causing sluggish ball handling and preventing him from showing his characteristic sharp shots. The few shots he attempted were repeatedly blocked by opposing defenders. Ultimately, Son Heung-min did not record a single shot on target in the first two group stage matches against Uruguay and Ghana.

In the last group stage match against Portugal, Son Heung-min was so off form that he recorded his first shot on target only at the 40th minute of the first half.

However, Son Heung-min shook off his previous poor form and mental struggles by assisting the winning goal that secured South Korea’s advancement to the round of 16.

Just after regular time ended in the last group stage match against Portugal, around one minute into stoppage time in the second half, Son Heung-min created a decisive moment. He made a solo run approaching outside the penalty box, drawing in three defenders, then delivered a sharp forward pass to Hwang Hee-chan who was cutting in from the left. Without hesitation, Hwang Hee-chan scored the winning goal with his right foot, and South Korea held on for the remaining five minutes to win 2-1.

In the delayed match between Uruguay and Ghana, Uruguay won 2-0, completing South Korea’s dramatic qualification to the round of 16.

South Korea and Uruguay both recorded 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss with 4 points, and were tied with a goal difference of 0, but South Korea ranked second in the group with 4 goals scored, surpassing Uruguay’s 2 goals. Portugal, with 2 wins and 1 loss, secured first place in the group.

This is the third time South Korea has reached the round of 16 in the World Cup, following the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup and the 2010 South Africa World Cup. It is their second time reaching the round of 16 in an away tournament.