Son Heung-min and South Korea must move on from their difficult Asian Cup campaign when they return to World Cup qualification on Thursday, while Japan will meet North Korea in a double-header in Pyongyang. Asian football is back on track for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, a month after Qatar retained the continental title on home turf with a 3-1 win against Jordan. Much has changed since South Korea was eliminated 2-0 by unfancied Jordan in the Asian Cup semi-finals, including the dismissal of coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
It was revealed that captain Son and Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder Lee Kang-in had gotten into a fight on the eve of the game, resulting in the Tottenham attacker’s dislocated finger.
Legendary German striker Klinsmann was fired after promising to lead South Korea to their first Asian title in 64 years. He was temporarily replaced by Hwang Sun-hong.
Son and Lee have subsequently reconciled, and Hwang has put them in his team for the home game against Thailand on Thursday and the return game five days later.
“Lee Kang-in wanted an opportunity to apologise to fans and his team-mates from the bottom of his heart, and Son Heung-min said we should all embrace Kang-in and move forward,” Hwang, the coach of the South Korean under-23 squad, said
“Based on my experience as a national team player, I think issues like this can end up making the team even tighter,” he said.
Prior to Klinsmann’s departure, South Korea defeated Singapore 5-0 and China 3-0 to win Group C, and they are anticipated to score six more points against Thailand.
