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Son Heung-min only came on as a substitute in South Korea's 0-1 defeat to South Africa, putting them at risk of early elimination. |
Just before kick-off, many South Korean fans thought there might have been a mistake in the starting lineup. Son Heung-min wasn't in the starting XI. For a player who is the captain, the number one icon, and the most capped player in South Korean national team history, this couldn't possibly be a normal detail.
South Korea lacks ideas, South Africa knows how to wait for the right opportunity.
Coach Hong Myung-bo has the right to make tactical choices. But in a match where South Korea still had a clear objective in Group A, leaving Son on the bench was a very risky decision. When the team lost 0-1 to South Africa, that gamble immediately became the focus of criticism.
Son is no longer in the prime of his career. At 33, he's going through a difficult time at LAFC and isn't scoring as regularly as before. There's also reason to question whether Son is still suited to playing as a central striker or should be moved to the left wing, or play a free role behind the striker.
But a form issue doesn't mean Son can be dropped from the starting lineup in a crucial match.
South Korea needs experience, a leader, and someone who can make a difference in crucial moments. Son may not be as explosive as he was at his peak, but his value lies in more than just the number of shots or goals.
Son's presence is enough to draw the opposing defense deeper, creating space for Lee Kang-in, Hwang Hee-chan, or other players behind him.
With Son sidelined, South Korea lost more than just a star. They lost their mental anchor in a match where the pressure was building minute by minute.
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The decision to bench Son became the focus of controversy following South Korea's defeat to South Africa. |
The 0-1 defeat against South Africa exposed a major problem for South Korea: possession doesn't equate to control of the game. Hong Myung-bo's team had possession and attacking moves down the flanks, but lacked the necessary finishing touches and a player capable of changing the tempo of the match.
South Africa didn't need to play flashy football. They defended disciplined, maintained good positional discipline, and waited for the right moment to strike. Thapelo Maseko's second-half goal was a cool blow to a South Korea that became increasingly impatient as the game progressed.
When Son was brought on, things became much more difficult. He entered the game having to fix the entire system, instead of being placed in the right environment to lead the team from the start. That's the big difference.
A single star player can't always save the team, especially when they're only being used as a stopgap solution.
The price of a gamble
After their victory against the Czech Republic and defeat against Mexico, South Korea needed a safe result against South Africa. Instead, they chose to take a risk by starting without Son and suffered a bitter defeat.
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If South Korea is eliminated, the decision to bench Son against South Africa will be talked about for a long time to come. |
Coach Hong might argue that he wanted to create a boost, refresh the attack, or reduce dependence on Son. But in football, the timing of a crucial decision is just as important as the decision itself. Experimenting with tactics in a key match is always a double-edged sword.
For South Korea, that blade has turned around.
The defeat against South Africa not only made South Korea's chances of advancing slim, but it also raised bigger questions about how the team is using its biggest icon.
Son may no longer be the only solution, but leaving him on the bench at a time when the team needs him most is clearly a difficult and unconvincing choice.
If South Korea is eliminated, the decision to bench Son against South Africa will be talked about for a long time. Not as a tactical detail, but as a moment when coach Hong Myung-bo put his team in a difficult position.
Source: https://znews.vn/canh-bac-son-heung-min-phan-tac-dung-post1663028.html
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