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Korean footballers shine in Europa League

November 6, 2015

Augsburg’s Ji Dong-won, left, celebrates with teammate Caiuby after scoring his side’s third goal during the Europa League Group L soccer match between FC Augsburg and AZ Alkmaar at the WWK Arena in Augsburg, southern Germany, Thursday Nov. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

By Nam Hyun-woo

Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min returned to the pitch and had an assist in his side’s 2-1 Europa League win over Anderlecht, while FC Augsburg’s Ji Dong-won scored his second goal of this season, Friday.

After appearing in the 59th minute as a second half substitute, Son picked up a half cleared cross to let Mousa Dembele launch an 86th minute mid-range stunner.

The late decider sent Spurs to the top of Group J in the Europa League with seven points and two games remaining as well as giving a positive mood to the club ahead of a derby game with Arsenal this weekend.

Son, who was left out of the Spurs’ squad for more than a month after suffering a left foot injury during a Sept. 26 game against Manchester City, told reporters that he felt fully recovered from the injury. After joining the Spurs after signing a 40 billion-won deal before this season, Son has scored three goals and had one assist so far.

In Germany, FC Augusburg forward Ji scored his side’s third goal to contribute to the Budesliga club’s 4-1 win over AZ Alkmaar, during their Europa League Group L game.

In the 66th, Ji exploited sloppy clearing in the center left flank and dribbled towards goal to strike a powerful finish into the opposite side of the goal.

Ji apparently picked up momentum in recent months. Following an impressive performance on Oct. 23, when he led his national team’s 3-0 win over Jamaica, the striker scored a goal in FC Augusburg’s 3-0 win over SC Freiburg on Oct. 29.

In FC Augusburg’s win Friday, Raul Bobadilla hit a hat-trick. Another Korean for the club, Koo Ja-cheol, appeared as a substitute but failed to record an attacking point.