"Son Heung-min misses critical chance, Lee Kang-in shows anger" — Japanese media highlights World Cup match against Czech Republic

*This content was translated by AI.

Son Heung-min (LAFC), captain of the South Korean national football team, fought hard on his fourth World Cup debut but ultimately failed to find the back of the net. Given the abundance of critical chances, the sense of regret was profound. In particular, a scene where Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) could not hide his disappointment after Son Heung-min missed another critical chance near the end of the first half has become a topic of discussion in Japan.

On the 12th (Korea time), Son Heung-min started as the forward in the first Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against the Czech Republic at the Guadalajara Stadium in Jalisco, Mexico. Despite recording a team-high six shots, he failed to register an attacking point and was substituted in the 24th minute of the second half.

Playing as the lone striker in a 3-4-3 formation, Son Heung-min repeatedly threatened the opponent's goal, starting with his first shot in the 12th minute of the first half. However, his shots were either saved by the goalkeeper or narrowly missed the goalpost, leaving only regret. As the game remained difficult to break open, Son Heung-min's expression grew increasingly dark.

The critical chance in stoppage time of the first half also left a strong sense of regret. Son Heung-min passed the ball to the left flank from the center of the penalty area, then received a low cross back to himself, but his shot went wide, failing to capitalize on the critical scoring opportunity. Lee Kang-in, standing nearby, could not hide his disappointment.

Japanese media Nikkan Sports also focused on this scene. The outlet reported, "On this day, Son Heung-min moved widely across the center and both flanks to seek a goal, and rushed toward a low cross just before the end of the first half, but his shot went wide." It added, "When Son Heung-min missed a critical chance, midfielder Lee Kang-in showed anger." The report further noted, "Son Heung-min recorded nine goals and three assists in 10 matches for Major League Soccer (MLS) last season, but has yet to score in 13 matches this season (nine assists)."

Son Heung-min, who failed to convert all five first-half shots and one second-half shot, was substituted in the 24th minute of the second half and left the field. Coincidentally, Oh Hyun-gyu (Besiktas), who replaced Son Heung-min, scored a dramatic winning goal with a single shot in the 35th minute of the second half while the score was tied 1-1, leading South Korea to a 2-1 victory.

Immediately after the match, Son Heung-min appeared in the mixed zone but declined interview requests from reporters and headed toward the team bus. It is highly unusual for Son Heung-min, who has never skipped mixed-zone interviews even after defeats, to refuse interviews. However, Hong Myung-bo, the South Korean national team coach, stated, "There were missed chances, but I do not consider them a major issue. Given his strong scoring form, there is no need to worry about him in the future," expressing strong confidence in Son Heung-min. The Hong Myung-bo-led team will face Mexico in the second Group A match at the same venue at 10 a.m. on the 19th.

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*This content was translated by AI.