Tottenham star Son Heung-min makes 'excuse' for poor South Korea international break
Son Heung-min and South Korea were held to draws against Oman and Jordan this month.
Tottenham Hotspur and South Korea captain Son Heung-min has taken no issue in providing an ‘excuse’ for an underwhelming international break for his national side.
South Korea went into the March fixtures as strong favourites to secure wins against Oman and Jordan with the chance of booking early qualification for the 2026 World Cup. However, Hong Myung-bo’s men only managed 1-1 draws in both of those matches.
Son played 90 minutes in both of those fixtures and picked up an assist against Jordan but was visibly frustrated on the pitch. When leaving the match against Oman, PSG star Lee Kang-in could be seen wrapping an arm around the Spurs man to comfort him.
Son Heung-min on South Korea ‘excuse’
Speaking after that game, the forward pointed to problems with the quality of the pitch as the reason why South Korea failed to pick up a win this month. He told the Yonhap News Agency: "I think there's a reason why we've had better results in away matches.
"When we're at home, we're supposed to enjoy the best playing conditions possible, but things have not improved at all. I know we can play better than this, but when conditions on our home soil get in the way, then I wonder where we should get our home field advantage.
"I know this may sound like an excuse, but every small detail matters in football. It can make the difference of getting one point or getting three points. I hope people will pay closer attention to it."
South Korea still sit top of Group B by three points but will need to confirm their place at the World Cup when facing Iraq and Kuwait in June. The nation simply needs to avoid defeat to Iraq in Basra on June 5 to make it to the tournament next year.
Tottenham Hotspur captain confident South Korea will not lose confidence
Son added: "Despite this disappointment, we're still leading our group and that's a fact. We want to stay there until the end of the round. For our young players, it can be an honour to play for the country but it can also put a lot of pressure on them.
"I told them if we just keep working at it, we will finish in first place. I think the most important thing for these young guys is not to lose their confidence."
Son now returns to north London for the run-in with a London derby against Chelsea first up on Thursday, April 3. Spurs then take on Southampton at home before the Europa League quarter final against Eintracht Frankfurt.
As with many of his Tottenham Hotspur teammates, it’s been an underwhelming season for Son, who has just seven goals and nine assists in the Premier League so far. The winger has picked up a goal and two assists in his last four league appearances for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
In other news, this Spurs star and QPR loanee has taken his next steps to fulfilling a ‘generational talent’ prophecy this week for South Korea.