South Korea captain Son Heung-min shares his thoughts on wrapping up the national team’s 2023 schedule.
The South Korean national football team, led by Jürgen Klinsmann, defeated China 3-0 in the second match of Group C of the FIFA 2026 FIFA North America Cup Asia Second Qualifying Round at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Center in Shenzhen, China, at 9:00 p.m. ET on June 21. With the win, South Korea remains atop the group with two wins and six points.
The star of the show was undoubtedly Son Heung-min. Starting as the second striker directly under Cho Kyu-sung, Son opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 11th minute. The attack started with a daring breakaway by Hwang Hee-chan, who passed to Cho Kyu-sung, but there was a scuffle, and Hwang Hee-chan was fouled again. Son Heung-min calmly converted the penalty kick and even performed the “hissing ceremony” for the Chinese crowd.토토사이트
Son linked up well with Lee Kang-in in the 44th minute. Heung-min ran forward as Lee crossed into the center of the box, and Lee’s pass was beautifully delivered. Heung-min’s shot was narrowly blocked. Heung-min completed his multi-goal performance with an exquisite header from Lee Kang-in’s subsequent corner kick.
South Korea, who finished the first half on a high note thanks to Son Heung-min, didn’t push too hard in the second half. A counterattack in the eighth minute of the second half was a bit disappointing, with Son Heung-min creating a great chance for Lee Kang-in on the counterattack. After beating the keeper, Lee tried to shoot, but the Chinese defense was able to get out of the way.
Son seemed to run out of steam in the second half, but his class was still there. In the 42nd minute, he sent a free kick into the box that Jung Seung-hyun finished with a stunning header to sink China. With two goals and an assist, Son Heung-min finished off China.
After the game, Son Heung-min posted on his personal social media account, “I finished my last game for the 2023 national team in China. The November national team call-up was colder than ever, but I spent it warm and happy thanks to everyone’s love. I’m so happy that the sport of soccer can receive such great love,” he said.
“As long as I’m playing, I want to share the positive energy that I have with many of you, and I want to make you happy and make you laugh, but I know that it comes with a lot of responsibility,” he said, adding that he wants to make the fans happy.
“Thanks to your support, I’m here, and all I can share is this little bit of happiness and this energy. Thank you for making me feel important every time. My time with the 2023 National Team has made me so happy. Thank you, and I hope that in 2024 we can laugh more and be happier together! I love you, Korea.” He concluded his speech by saying, “I love you, Korea.