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Son Heung-min delights Tottenham by scoring two goals

September 17, 2015

Tottenham’s Son Heung-Min, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Europa League Group J soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Qarabag FK at the White Hart Lane stadium in London, England, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

By Brian Han

Tottenham Spurs’ forward Son Heung-min made sure the $33.8 million transfer fee paid by his new team was worth it on Thursday in a match against FK Qarabag.

Son scored two goals within minutes, an equalizer in the 28th to tie the game at 1-1 and another in the 30th to take the lead. The Spurs never looked back after that point to win their UEFA Europa League opener 3-1.

Son said before joining the team, “I trained with both feet so I can use them freely. Bold and daring — this is how I like to try to play.”

That’s exactly what he did as he showed nimble footwork especially during his second goal when he passed the ball to teammate Delle Alli 25 yards away from the goal. He then deftly maneuvered his way past Qarabag’s defense to sidekick Alli’s pass for the point.

Son started the game as the only striker and though some doubted his ability to adapt from his usual role as a winger, he illustrated by his play that he welcomed the challenge.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino sang high praises for Son, not only for his scoring prowess, but for his versatility.

“You can see I am very pleased with him, very happy,” he told reporters according to BBC News. “His adaptation to the club has been good from the beginning. I explained before the Sunderland game that Son can play like a striker. He can also play wider. He has the quality to play in different positions on the pitch.”