Korea Republic head coach Hong Myung-Bo explains why Son Heung-Min didn't start in FIFA World Cup loss to South Africa
Korea Republic head coach Hong Myung-Bo has revealed why he opted against starting captainSon Heung-Minin the FIFA World Cup against South Africa. The Taegeuk Warriors lost 1-0 to Bafana Bafana, causing them. . .
Korea Republic head coach Hong Myung-Bo has revealed why he opted against starting captainSon Heung-Minin the FIFA World Cup against South Africa. The Taegeuk Warriors lost 1-0 to Bafana Bafana, causing them to finish in third place in Group A. Myung-Bo spoke with reporters after the game, where he explained that he chose to name Son Heung-Min on the bench from the start. He pointed out that he had hoped to make use of him as a second-half substitute in order for him to run at tiring defenders. "We thought that when the opponents had a lot of energy it would be better to use Son later in the game, when they started losing energy and there was more space. We wanted to use him when they were weaker", he said (via Channel News Asia). Son failed to have an impact on proceedings after he was sent on in place of Hwang Hee-Chan in the 46th minute. The scores were level when he came on, but he did not make a significant difference to his side as South Africa picked up the win. Son Heung-Min attempted only one shot, which was blocked by the South Africans, in his 45 minutes of action. He completed 19 passes and got only one touch in the opposition penalty box. He made four ball recoveries and won the only ground duel he contested. Korea's talisman has failed to score in this FIFA World Cup, a disappointing return for the 33-year-old forward. Deja vu: Son Heung-Min risks FIFA World Cup exit following group stage defeatSouth Africa edged Korea Republic 1-0 in their Group A meeting at the FIFA World Cup this summer. Both sides sought to claim all three points in their bid to reach the knockout stages of the tournament, but it was the Africans that got the win, eventually. Korea Republic captain Son started the game on the bench, with coach Hong Myung-Bo opting to keep him fresh for a late entry into the game. The formerTottenham Hotspurman was on the pitch for the entirety of the second half but failed to make a difference, instead watching as Thapelo Maseko scored the game's only goal to win it for South Africa. Son Heung-Min saw his side finish in third place on just three points, leaving them hopeful of qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams. The forward was in the Korea Republic squads that were eliminated in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and 2018, and will hope to avoid the same fate this summer. Quick LinksMore from SportskeedaEdited by Sulayman Salahudeen