South Korean media deliver interesting verdict on Son’s performance at the World Cup after their exit

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Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min couldn’t help his South Korea side progress past the last-16 at the World Cup.

They were outclassed by a Brazil team that included Son’s Tottenham teammate Richarlison in a 4-1 defeat.

The South Korean media have now delivered their verdict on Son’s performance in Qatar.

The 30-year-old couldn’t add to his tally of World Cup goals, but did record an assist against Portugal.

Son played every minute in Qatar despite arriving at the tournament with an injury.

The Tottenham forward fractured his eye socket against Marseille in the Champions League.

He missed Spurs’ final three Premier League games before the tournament, but recovered just in time for the Taegeuk Warriors.

It was clearly an emotional tournament for Son, who was seen breaking down in tears when he found out South Korea had qualified from their group.

They had to endure a tense wait after defeating Portugal to see if Uruguay could score one more goal against Ghana.

Son will be targeting still playing for South Korea in four years’ time for the next World Cup.

The tournament in North America will likely be his last chance to match Park Ji-sung’s national record of scoring at three World Cups.

South Korea deliver verdict on Son’s World Cup

Korean publication Hankyoreh wrote about the Tottenham star’s performance in Qatar.

“Son demonstrated in this tournament that “nothing is impossible,” their review said.

“Watching him crisscross the pitch, repeatedly adjusting his mask as it slipped down, and fighting for balls in the air in the face of danger, we felt strength with hope and devotion.

“The young rookie who took the pitch with bleached blonde hair in 2014 was standing before us, already captain on the field and in the hearts of Koreans.”

Son clearly did his country proud, playing through a serious injury to help South Korea go past the group stage for the third time in their history.

His performances also attracted the interest of Real Madrid, according to Defensa Central.

Antonio Conte will be pleased that he confirmed after the Brazil tie he’s feeling no ill effects from playing with a facial injury.

Son’s form will be key to Tottenham staying in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League once again this season.

With Harry Kane and Richarlison both still in Qatar, Son will need to hit the ground running in the Premier League if they return from the World Cup’s final stages needing a rest.