Son Heung-min recently indulged in tacos, specifically of the Al Pastor and Arrachera varieties. Following a trip from South Korea’s training camp to downtown Guadalajara, the former Tottenham star found himself surrounded by fans, highlighting his global appeal. Yet, some online observers suggested he should have chosen a more upscale dining option.
His team’s performance, however, left much to be desired, exemplified by a disappointing 1-0 loss to Mexico in their second Group A match. Son, who will be 34 before the quarter-finals, struggled to make an impact, as the Taegeuk Warriors adopted a defensive approach, aiming for a draw until a critical mistake from goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu allowed Mexico to score an unexpected goal, securing their top position in the round of 32. As South Korea prepares to face South Africa in their final group match, they need a win to boost their chances; a draw could suffice for second place, but a loss might lead to a precarious situation.
In the first match, Son played for 69 minutes, missing several opportunities before being substituted as South Korea managed a comeback to beat Czechia 2-1. His central role has raised questions about his effectiveness, with discussions at home suggesting he may be more effective on the left flank alongside Oh Hyeon-gyu, who scored the winner in the opener and is currently in good form with Besiktas.
The upcoming game against South Africa, who have yet to make a significant impression, is crucial. If Son can find his rhythm with the assistance of head coach Hong Myung-bo and lead the team to victory, they will enter the knockout stages with renewed confidence. A draw might be enough, but it could also perpetuate the team’s current uncertainty.
Upon arriving in Mexico, the most successful World Cup team from Asia was met with hospitality from local fans, despite their inconsistent recent performances and low expectations. Their initial victory against Czechia showcased an exciting display, although it came with the caveat that Czechia appears to be the weakest European team in the tournament so far.
Despite the encouraging start, the team’s mood was soon marred by an incident involving Son. During a training session on June 7, a media member was caught on camera mocking Son’s military service record. Though he earned an exemption from the standard 21-month service by winning gold at the 2018 Asian Games, he still completed basic training in 2020.
The Korea Football Association responded to the leaked footage, expressing regret over the “inappropriate remarks made by some media personnel … the recent leak of inappropriate conversations between some media officials at a training site caused great shock and disappointment to the team” stating that the leaked conversations during the training session caused “great shock and disappointment to the team.”
In light of the military service controversy, the team initially avoided speaking to local media, as the topic gained traction in Mexico. The societal expectation for men to fulfill their duty is strong, and there’s a growing sentiment against allowing wealthy or famous individuals to evade this obligation. While Son and his teammates have not violated any laws, surveys indicate diminishing public support for sports figures escaping full military service. Notably, the popular band BTS also faced similar scrutiny, having taken a break to fulfill their service obligations.
The military’s involvement was further highlighted when Mexican forces shot down a drone hovering near another South Korean training session prior to the match against Mexico. This incident added pressure on a team that had displayed little attacking flair in their defeat to the co-hosts.
As a result of the recent match outcomes, Mexico has secured advancement to the next round. The co-hosts, in a strong position, are expected to pose a significant challenge to Czechia, who now have a shot at winning. Should South Korea falter against South Africa, they risk elimination, a scenario that would be disastrous for the team. Fans, players, and media alike are eager for a victory to restore confidence and refocus attention on football, alongside opportunities for more culinary explorations.
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