Sonny’s return boosts South Korea’s bid for a 4th straight win in World Cup qualifiers

Son Heung-min of Tottenham reacts after the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich Town in London on November 10. Reuters-Yonhap

With their long-time captain Son Heung-min back from injury, Korea will be chasing their fourth straight win in the ongoing World Cup qualifier this week against Kuwait.

World No. 22 Korea will visit Kuwait at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City at 17.00 Thursday local time or 23.00 the same evening in Seoul.

It will be the fifth Group B match for both nations in the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Korea leads the group with 10 points after three wins and a draw, while Kuwait is fifth among six countries with three points from three draws and a loss.

Korea opened the third round with a goalless draw against Palestine in Seoul on September 5, but have since defeated Oman, Jordan and Iraq in succession by an aggregate score of 8-3.

The last two of those wins came in October without the help of Son, captain of both Korea and Tottenham Hotspur. The 32-year-old was initially called up to the national team, but was dropped due to a hamstring injury.

Son sustained the injury during a UEFA Europa League match on 26 September. He returned to action on 19 October in a Premier League tilt against West Ham United, scoring a goal and being involved in an own goal by the opposing team. But Son missed the next two Spurs games due to ongoing problems, returning on November 3 against Aston Villa.

Son was subbed off in the 56th minute, shortly after setting up a goal, and was visibly upset by the decision by head coach Ange Postecoglou, who later explained that the plan had been to keep Son’s minutes under 60 all along.

When announcing his 26-man squad on November 4, Hong said he would monitor Son’s minutes with the Spurs in their two games before the player reports to the national team. Hong also stressed that he would prioritize Son’s health.

Son only played the first half of Tottenham’s 3-2 loss to Galatasaray in the Europa League last Thursday and played the full game for the first time since his return against Ipswich Town on Sunday.

Ahead of a training session in Kuwait City on Monday, Hong reiterated that Son’s long-term health was of utmost importance to the national team.

“At this point, I have absolutely no plans to push him hard,” Hong told reporters at the Abdullah Al-Khalifa Stadium. “I will find ways to use him effectively. As soon as he joins the team, I will sit down with him and discuss his playing time. It is really important for us to see a healthy version of Son Heung-min.”

In a recent interview with ESPN, Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou said he hoped the Premier League club and South Korea could work together to optimize Son’s performance for both sides.

“You’d like to think there’s a collaborative approach there, that they look at what he’s been through recently for both us and for the national team,” the coach said. “We want a healthy Sonny, someone who’s good physically so he can contribute. I think in that kind of context. I’m sure we’ll both get a positive result.”

Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the Korean men’s national soccer team, watches his players during a training session at the Abdullah Al-Khalifa Stadium in Kuwait City, Nov. 12. Yonhap

Hong said Tottenham had not contacted the national team regarding Son, but added he agreed with Postecoglou.

“Coach Postecoglou has to keep an eye on Son because he is also an important player for Tottenham,” Hong said. “As important as the national team results are, it is the right thing for us to send players back to their clubs healthy.”

Even if Son is limited this week, Korea should have little trouble getting past Kuwait, who have the worst goal difference in Group B at -4, with three goals scored and seven conceded.

In Son’s absence for the past two matches, Stoke City midfielder Bae Jun-ho stepped into the left wing position and flaunted his playmaking chops with two assists and a series of dangerous forays into the attacking third.

And Bae is not the only 21-year-old in the squad this time around, as Hong, in his continued search for young talent to lead the country into the future, selected Hannover 96 midfielder Lee Hyun-ju.

Lee has played in four games for the U23 national team, but has never suited up for the senior squad. Hong had high praise for Lee last week, saying the midfielder’s ability to play in tight spaces makes him unique among the current group of players.

Despite his team’s clear advantage in overall quality, Hong said Korea cannot afford to let their guard down against Kuwait.

“In the past we have had problems in games we should have won easily,” the coach said. “We don’t have much time to train as a full team before the Kuwait game, so we will have to make sure we are fully prepared.” (Yonhap)