South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo has dismissed mounting concerns over captain Son Heung-min’s form, insisting the veteran striker remains “the heart” of the team.
Son, South Korea’s most-capped player and second-highest goalscorer, missed a few chances in a 1-0 defeat by Austria on Tuesday, with his performances under the microscope in the build-up to this year’s World Cup.
The 33-year-old began South Korea’s 4-0 thrashing by Ivory Coast last week on the bench, with Hong explaining that was due to illness.
“When the time comes for me to leave the national team, then I will do it on my own. If I can no longer play at a high level, then I shouldn’t be on the national team,” he told reporters.
“Now I have to return to my club and try to perform better. It’s disappointing that people talk about decline whenever I hit a dry spell.
“I know there are high expectations on me because I’ve scored so many goals over the years. I am always doing the best I can, and I am feeling good physically.”
South Korea will play in Group A at the June 11 to July 19 World Cup, alongside co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and the Czech Republic.
