'Unprecedented' Son Heung-min quickly passed through the mixed zone without an interview... Left only with a "Thank you" greeting [Guadalajara on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

Although the South Korean national football team secured a thrilling comeback victory against the Czech Republic to open their World Cup campaign with a win, captain Son Heung-min (LAFC) wore a look of deep regret. The disappointment over his own performance was so profound that he unusually bypassed the mixed zone, where he had always diligently responded to media interview requests.

The South Korean national football team (ranked 25th), led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, defeated the Czech Republic (ranked 41st) 2-1 in the first match of Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup North American qualifiers, held at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, at 11 a.m. on the 12th (Korea time). South Korea overcame an early second-half goal and secured the win thanks to consecutive goals by Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) and Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas).

The team started on a high note by securing three points, but it was a day when Son Heung-min, who took the lead as the team's attacking spearhead, was particularly unlucky in front of goal.

Starting as the lone striker, Son Heung-min skillfully distributed precise passes from the central area to both flanks, steadily guiding the national team's overall attacking play. However, he had to swallow his disappointment as his sharpest weapon, his sharpness in front of the goal, was somewhat lacking.

In fact, Son Heung-min took a whopping five shots in the first half alone. This was the highest number of shots by either team and exceeded the total number of shots recorded by the Czech Republic in the first half (two). Three of the shots were blocked by defenders, and two shots, including a left-footed curler following his signature dribble breakthrough in the 39th minute, missed the target.

In the second half, the disappointment was even greater as he seized the most perfect chance of the match. In the 11th minute of the second half, he received a penetrating pass from Lee Jae-sung, broke through the Czech defensive line, and found himself in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. He aimed for the goal with a skillful left-footed chip shot, but the ball traveled too straight and was saved by Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar.

South Korea, having missed decisive chances in succession, fell into crisis in the 14th minute of the second half when they conceded an early goal from a long throw-in set piece by Czech player Ladislav Krejci (Wolverhampton Wanderers). Fortunately, Hwang In-beom scored a spectacular chip shot in the 22nd minute of the second half to equalize, restoring the balance of the match, and Son Heung-min remained on the pitch until that equalizing goal.

Head coach Hong Myung-bo made a tactical move in the 23rd minute of the second half, immediately after the equalizer, by substituting Oh Hyeon-gyu for Son Heung-min.

Coincidentally, Oh Hyeon-gyu, who entered the field in place of Son Heung-min, connected with a cross from Seol Young-woo (Crvena Zvezda) in the 35th minute of the second half to score the winning goal, securing a 2-1 comeback victory for South Korea.

Despite the team's dramatic victory, Son Heung-min could not smile fully. After the match, when Son Heung-min appeared in the mixed zone, instead of stopping his steps as usual to face the media, he simply said "Thank you" and headed toward the team bus.

Son Heung-min, who had always diligently responded to interviews even in past defeats, bearing the weight of his captaincy, made it clear today how deep his own disappointment and regret over his performance were.

However, after leaving the mixed zone, Son Heung-min met with KBS commentator Lee Young-pyo, who was present at the venue, briefly stopped to have a conversation, and then proceeded to the team bus.

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*This content was translated by AI.