Son Heung-min Withdraws from South Korea Training Camp Due to Injury! Hong Myung-bo: I Don’t Want to Take Risks, Already Prepared Plan B

On October 4th, the South Korean Football Association officially announced that Son Heung-min has withdrawn from the South Korean team’s training camp due to injury. The Taeguk Warriors have called up Hong Hyun-seok, who plays for Mainz, as a replacement. Subsequently, South Korean head coach Hong Myung-bo explained his decision, stating that he does not want to risk Son Heung-min’s health, and that the team already has a Plan B.

Son Heung-min was injured during the first round of the Europa League away game against Qarabag, and subsequently missed the team’s 3-0 victory over Manchester United. In the second round of the Europa League, when Tottenham faced Hungarian side Ferencváros away, Son Heung-min did not travel with the team.

Although Son Heung-min’s name was on the list for the new training camp roster released by Hong Myung-bo, Hong revealed that after communicating with Son Heung-min, he made the decision to have him withdraw, “Although the player feels like he is recovering a bit, I still think it is inappropriate for him to compete immediately. The most important thing is to consider the player’s future. Although he is very important to us, we decided to have him withdraw.”

Hong Myung-bo emphasized that although Son Heung-min himself was willing to return home to participate in the Round of 16 match, he did not want to take risks, “Despite Son Heung-min’s strong desire to play, we are already prepared with Plan B. Players like Hwang Hee-chan and Lee Jae-sung can make up for his absence through their running. We have enough players to replace him.”

Since Paulo Bento took charge, Son Heung-min has missed 13 games for the South Korean team due to injuries. However, in these 13 games, the South Korean team achieved 9 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, losing only to Japan and Peru. For the two Round of 16 matches in October, the South Korean team will face Jordan away first, and then host Iraq.