◀ Anchor ▶
Friday night sports news.
Son Heung-min, who suffered a thigh injury, was eventually unable to join the national team.
With ace Son Heung-min missing, preparations for the biggest challenge, the wars between Jordan and Iraq, were put on high alert.
This is reporter Taewoon Kim.
◀ Report ▶
Coach Hong Myung-bo included Son Heung-min, who collapsed due to pain in his thigh muscle during last week’s Europa League game, in the international squad for October.
However, as his recovery from injury was slow, as he did not participate in today’s Europa League trip to Hungary following the league match against Manchester United, it was decided not to be called up to the national team this time.
During the last Qatar World Cup, he played while wearing a mask after surgery for an orbital fracture, but was eventually excluded from the national team after two years and eight months due to an unreasonable schedule for his team’s games and an unexpected injury.
[손흥민 (지난달 26일)]
“You go into a game mentally and physically unprepared, which obviously increases your risk of injury.”
With the national team’s ace missing ahead of the two-game series against Jordan and Iraq, which will be the biggest challenge in the third round of the World Cup qualifiers, Hong Myeong’s protection was put on alert.
Coach Hong, who selected Hong Hyun-seok as a replacement for Son Heung-min, is said to have prepared a ‘Plan B’, but Hwang Hee-chan is also not performing well due to a decrease in playing opportunities recently, so he has to rely on young players such as Bae Jun-ho and Uhm Uhm-seong.
[홍명보/축구대표팀 감독]
“I don’t know what other effects Son Heung-min will have if he doesn’t appear on the field, but I think, ‘There are enough substitutes for that position.’”
The national team will be convened immediately after finishing the K-League game on Sunday and travel to Jordan, while the European players will join them locally.
This is Taewoon Kim from MBC News.
Video Editing: Junhyuk Ahn
“This video can be viewed on the MBC News website due to copyright reasons.”
MBC News awaits your reports 24 hours a day.
▷ Phone 02-784-4000
▷ Email mbcjebo@mbc.co.kr
▷ Kakao Talk @mbc report
