Getting closer to gold, Son Heung-min says there’s no going back

CIBINONG, Indonesia, Aug. 29 (Yonhap) — South Korean football forward Son Heung-min said Wednesday it’s now a do-or-die situation as his team is now just one match away from winning a gold medal at the 18th Asian Games.

South Korea advanced to the final after beating Vietnam 3-1 at Pakansari Stadium in Cibinong, south of Jakarta. They will meet the winners of the match between Japan and the United Arab Emirates in the final on Saturday.

“There’s no resolution needed to be made at this point because everyone knows what’s important,” Son said. “Now, there’s no going back.”

Son joined the under-23 team as a “wild card” member. The men’s football competition at Asian Games is open to those who are aged 23 or under, but teams can field up to three overage players known as wild cards. He is also the captain of the team.

“I told our players that we’re all stupid if we don’t play well after coming this far,” he said. “I was also desperate to win today’s match. I told my younger teammates to play for me and play for our coach, and they did it very well.”

South Korea’s Son Heung-min (R) celebrates with Hwang Ui-jo after leading 2-0 against Vietnam in the men’s football semifinal match at the 18th Asian Games at Pakansari Stadium in Cibinong, south of Jakarta, on Aug. 29, 2018. (Yonhap)

Son has been working as more of an assist maker than being a goal poacher at this Asian Games. He only has one goal so far, which was the winner from South Korea’s 1-0 over Kyrgyzstan in the group stage match.

Against Vietnam, the Tottenham Hotspur star played as an attacking midfielder behind Hwang Ui-jo, who is now the leading scorer of the men’s football competition with nine goals.

Son assisted Hwang’s second goal in the 28th minute with a through ball. He also provided two helpers for Hwang in South Korea’s 4-3 win over Uzbekistan in the quarterfinal match.

“There are lots of players who can score instead of me,” he said. “As I come down to midfield, it creates space for other players. Since Hwang’s goal scoring instinct is at its peak, I just make a pass to him and he scores a goal.”

Son usually plays on the flanks with his club and with the national team. But his central attacking midfielder role was something that was unexpected for Vietnam. Park Hang-seo, the South Korean head coach for Vietnam, said his side had to switch from a back three to a back four because of Son.

“I want to play smart,” Son said. “I don’t care about position I play. If we can sacrifice for the team and for our teammates, we’ll get a good result.”