Korea Wins 3-1 Against Kuwait
Son Heung-min Scores 50th 'A Match' Goal
Son Heung-min (32, Tottenham Hotspur), captain of the South Korean national football team, delivered an exciting fan service for the fans who came to the stadium.
Led by coach Hong Myung-bo, the national team crushed Kuwait 3-1 in the 5th match of the 3rd round of the Asian qualifiers for the CONCACAF World Cup held on the 14th (Korean time) at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City, Kuwait. South Korea took a 2-0 lead in the first half with a goal from Oh Se-hun (Machida) and a penalty kick by Son Heung-min. Although they conceded one goal in the second half, Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City) scored the decisive goal, contributing to the team's complete victory.
On the afternoon of the 14th (local time), the 5th match of Group B in the 3rd round of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asian qualifiers was held at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait between South Korea and Kuwait. Son Heung-min, captain of the South Korean national football team, is jumping over the electronic scoreboard to greet the Red Devils cheering in the stadium after South Korea's 3-1 victory over Kuwait. Photo by Yonhap News
After the match, the national team players bowed to the Korean fans who had come all the way to Kuwait to express their gratitude. At this time, captain Son Heung-min did not appear as he was conducting an interview. After finishing the interview, Son Heung-min ran toward the Korean fans. Son Heung-min ran quite a long distance and did not stop even in front of the stands, jumping over the advertising boards. Fans who got to see Son Heung-min up close gave a passionate cheer. Son Heung-min approached near the stands, showed his appreciation to the fans by giving thumbs up with both hands and clapping.
In the interview, Son Heung-min said, "Many fans came to the stadium, and as a player, I received a lot of strength," adding, "Although it was a long distance, I really want to thank the fans who came all this way." He continued, "I am very happy to be able to finish the game with a victory and want to give all the credit to the players."
On the afternoon of the 14th (local time), the match between South Korea and Kuwait in the 5th round of Group B in the 3rd qualifying round of the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup Asia region was held at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait. Son Heung-min of the South Korean national football team is clapping after a breakthrough shot. Photo by Yonhap News
Meanwhile, Son Heung-min scored his 50th goal in A-match competition 14 years after his debut, ranking joint 2nd in South Korea's all-time scoring list. This places him alongside Hwang Sun-hong, coach of Daejeon Hana Citizen, as the joint 2nd highest goal scorer among South Korean male players in A-match history. The top spot is held by former Suwon Samsung coach Cha Bum-kun with 58 goals. Son Heung-min also holds the record for the most free-kick and penalty goals by a South Korean player in A-match competition.
Son Heung-min said, "I am grateful just to have the opportunity to score many goals," and added, "It is a great honor to be mentioned alongside many (senior) players' names regarding my 50th goal." He also spoke about his thigh injury that kept him out of the October A-match, saying, "I am thankful to my club and national team for their care and protection," and added, "I have returned to my original condition. Thanks to their management, I am maintaining good condition. I want to keep 100% from the next match."
Meanwhile, the South Korean national football team will play against Palestine at 11 a.m. on the 19th. Since Palestine cannot hold home matches due to the ravages of war, the match will be held in Amman, Jordan.
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