'More than other people': South Korea manager now makes claim about Tottenham star Heung-min Son after World Cup exit

By Lee Clarke

South Korea head coach Paulo Bento has hailed Tottenham star Heung-min Son after his efforts at the World Cup. The attacker was part of the team that exited the competition with a thrashing to Brazil at the round of 16 stage.

Son was touch and go for the tournament in Qatar. He broke his eye socket prior to the tournament and wore a protective mask during the four games he played for South Korea.

It was a successful tournament for the Asian outfit. They had failed to win in their opening two matches of the group stages but saw off Portugal in their final game to progress to the knockout stages.

Son was in decent form for his team. His injury, however, did mean that he wasn’t at full pelt and his national team boss believes he suffered more than most in Qatar.

He told Football Daily: “He’s the one that suffered a lot and suffered more than other people. His desire to be with us.”

Son has endured a pretty mediocre start to the 2022/23 campaign by his standards. He’s bagged five goals and claimed three assists and he will hope to kick on after the World Cup.

Son hailed by Bento and he will hope to park World Cup

The World Cup may take some getting over for the South Korean. After progressing to the last 16 they didn’t give a good account of themselves and were losing 4-0 at half-time to Brazil.

Tottenham will hope that Son returns ready to fire though. Antonio Conte will have dreams of claiming another top-four finish and their best chance of achieving that is for Son to start firing more frequently.

He certainly has the respect of the dressing room. Last season he scored 24 goals in all competitions and also helped himself to 10 assists during the campaign.

Son is a character who wears his heart on his sleeve. He will have the full support of everyone at Tottenham and the hope will be that he doesn’t let the World Cup knock his confidence too much.