South Korea captain Son Heung-min is not going to play in two World Cup qualifying matches later this month attributable to a left hamstring harm, the nationwide soccer federation introduced Friday.
The Korea Soccer Affiliation stated the nationwide crew workers had determined to drop Son from the 26-man squad to “shield the participant’s well being,” after Son sustained his harm throughout a UEFA Europa League match for Tottenham Hotspur towards Qarabag on Sept. 26 in London.
Son has since missed two matches — a Premier League contest towards Manchester United and one other Europa League match towards Ferencvarosi TC — whereas recovering from the harm.
Mainz 05 midfielder Hong Hyun-seok was named as Son’s substitute.
South Korea will face Jordan in Amman subsequent Thursday for his or her third Group B match within the third spherical of the Asian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Then on Oct. 15, South Korea will host Iraq.
After two matches, South Korea are in second place within the group behind Jordan.
The highest two groups from every of the three teams within the third spherical will punch their tickets to the 2026 World Cup. South Korea have performed at each World Cup since 1986.
In saying the 26-man squad on Monday, nationwide crew head coach Hong Myung-bo stated Son had instructed him that he had began to really feel higher however added that the nationwide crew workers would proceed to watch Son’s situation to see if he’d be match for his worldwide responsibility.
Hong additionally stated he had a Plan B in case Son could not go and different gamers on the crew might play Son’s place on both wing. The coach added he did not need to threat additional harm by forcing Son into motion.
Son is third on the all-time South Korean aim scoring checklist with 49, 9 behind the chief, Cha Bum-kun, and has collected the fourth-most caps with 129.
On the eve of the Europa League match by which he was injured, Son raised considerations over the grueling enjoying schedule for gamers at present and spoke of a “huge” threat of harm.
“You do not need to see gamers combating accidents. Nobody needs to see it,” Son stated. “Numerous video games, a number of touring. We have to take care of ourselves, which typically could be very arduous. Mentally, bodily, you are not prepared. Then happening to the pitch after which the chance of harm is very large. We’re not robots.” (Yonhap)