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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
John Duerden

‘He has such a significant presence’: South Koreans sweat on Son’s fitness

Son Heung-min pictured celebrating scoring against Cameroon in September
Son Heung-min, pictured celebrating scoring against Cameroon in September, is needed more than ever in the South Korean lineup. Photograph: Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images

Just as the English public became wearily familiar with the bone structures of the foot with metatarsal injuries to David Beckham before the 2002 World Cup and Wayne Rooney four years later, South Korean fans are learning all about facial fractures and eye sockets. Diagrams, X-rays and reports of how long it took other players with similar injuries to return are the order of the day as Son Heung-min recovers from surgery after his head collided with the shoulder of Marseille’s Chancel Mbemba while in action for Tottenham in the Champions League last week.

Antonio Conte spoke for an entire nation on Sunday. “I hope for him he will recover very well and play in the World Cup,” the Spurs manager said. “I am confident, confident that he can come back quickly and play the World Cup for South Korea.”

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