Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) had limited playing time, but the national team was strong enough. And it is evolving younger and faster.
The South Korean national football team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, secured a 2-0 victory against Iraq on the 6th, and following that, they decisively defeated Kuwait 4-0 in the final match of the third round of Asian World Cup qualifying held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 10th. Thus, Korea confirmed its spot in the finals with a total of 11 wins and 5 draws, remaining unbeaten across the second and third qualifying rounds.
The two-match A match series in June was symbolic. In a situation where existing key players like Son Heung-min were absent, the national team became younger and moved more organically. At the center were Lee Kang-in and Bae Jun-ho.
Son Heung-min's exclusion from the starting lineup was a topic of discussion before the match. The performance was clear. The national team did not feel Son Heung-min's absence significantly. Lee Kang-in was still sharp up front, and Bae Jun-ho added vitality to the attack as he stirred the left flank. The two players led the team to victory against Kuwait, recording 1 goal and 2 assists, respectively.
Lee Kang-in turned concerns about a lack of match sense on their head. Although he was sidelined in the starting competition at his club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the second half, he remained a national team ace while wearing the national team jersey. He played full-time in the match against Iraq, assisting Kim Jin-kyu's opening goal, and in the match against Kuwait, he scored with a perfect left-footed shot after receiving a pass from Bae Jun-ho. He proved himself as the team ace by leading attacking developments with his unique dribbling and creative passing.
Bae Jun-ho's additional call-up was also a masterstroke. Originally called up to the under-22 national team, he was added to the senior national team due to the assessment that Son Heung-min's physical condition was not complete and the accumulated warning risks of some players. And he seized his opportunity accurately. He recorded 2 assists with a precise breaking pass and a header connection, constantly shaking the Kuwait defense and dismantling the opponent.
The combination of the two players showed a different dynamism compared to the existing national team attack combinations. Instead of the fast transitions and explosiveness centered on Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan, the combination of Lee Kang-in, Bae Jun-ho, and Jeon Jin-woo implemented sophisticated football through short passes, organic connections, and targeting half spaces. Jeon Jin-woo also added strength from the right flank, making the national team's attack even more diverse.
The performance that day goes beyond merely being a 'Son Heung-min alternative.' It marks a natural flow of generational change, the possibility of new leadership, and a signal for the diversification of national team tactics.
Of course, Son Heung-min remains an iconic figure in Korean football. However, the national team no longer depends on his presence. Rather than simply filling the void left by Son Heung-min, they have created a new combination and rhythm. This allows Son Heung-min to alleviate some of the burden they have shouldered.
The national team without Son Heung-min is now 'possibility' rather than 'instability.'
[OSEN]