'Son Heung-min Excluded from Starting Lineup' Could Become Reality: Will Hong Myung-bo Make a Decisive Call for Mexico Match?

*This content was translated by AI.

One of the key points highlighted by foreign media during the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Nations League A Group against the Czech Republic was the substitution of Son Heung-min (LAFC) in the second half. In a situation where a goal was desperately needed, manager Hong Myung-bo's decision to remove Son Heung-min, the undisputed ace and key attacker of the team, was a bold move. Ultimately, Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas), who replaced Son Heung-min, scored the winning goal to turn the tide, making Hong's decision a masterstroke in hindsight.

Hong Myung-bo's decision to bench Son Heung-min could take another form in the upcoming match against Mexico on the 19th. This time, there is no longer a way to rule out the possibility of Son Heung-min being completely excluded from the starting lineup. This is not merely a decision reflecting the regret that Son Heung-min failed to convert all six shots in the previous Czech match. Manager Hong has already consistently tested the 'Son Heung-min Joker' strategy to maximize his utilization since transitioning into full 'World Cup mode' after the previous World Cup qualifiers.

In fact, during the two-match series against the United States and Mexico last September, Hong Myung-bo started Son Heung-min in one match and brought him on as a substitute in the other. In the subsequent matches against Brazil and Paraguay, Son Heung-min started both games, but Hong explained that he initially planned to use Son Heung-min as a substitute in the second match against Paraguay, only to change the plan due to the pre-match ceremony commemorating the most caps in A-match history. In the November matches against Bolivia and Ghana, Son Heung-min started as a lone striker and on the wing, respectively. In the March matches against Ivory Coast and Austria, as well as the two-match series against Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador just before the World Cup, Son Heung-min received starting opportunities in only one match each.

Even when starting, Son Heung-min was often substituted off in the second half rather than playing the full 90 minutes. This marked a clear shift from the previous trend where A-match starts were a given and players typically played the full match without being substituted. Manager Hong Myung-bo had already hinted at the possibility of using Son Heung-min as a joker last September, stating, "It is no longer about how long Son Heung-min plays, but about making a decisive impact at the right moment." This concept has been consistently pursued throughout the World Cup preparation process.

Naturally, it remains uncertain whether Son Heung-min will start in the second match of the CONCACAF Nations League A Group against Mexico, scheduled for 10 a.m. (Korea time) on the 19th at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico. While a change in position might allow him to retain a starting spot, it is highly likely that Oh Hyeon-gyu will occupy the central striker position rather than Son Heung-min. From the perspective of further enhancing Oh Hyeon-gyu's rising goal-scoring instincts, this is a critical moment for him to secure a starting opportunity. Additionally, if Son Heung-min is deployed as a 'joker,' the pressure he can exert on the opposing defense could become a significant weapon.

The only area of concern remains Son Heung-min's positioning on the wing. Manager Hong had already started Oh Hyeon-gyu at the front and Son Heung-min on the left simultaneously during the Ghana match last November. However, under the premise that the three-back formation itself would not change, the inevitable chain reaction of moving players such as Lee Jae-sung (Mainz 05) or Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) deepens Hong's dilemma.

The utilization of Son Heung-min and Oh Hyeon-gyu during the friendly match against Mexico held in the United States last September could serve as a clue. At that time, Oh Hyeon-gyu started, while Son Heung-min was brought on as a substitute at the beginning of the second half, allowing them to play together in the second half. Oh Hyeon-gyu recorded one goal and one assist, while Son Heung-min also scored one goal, shaking up the Mexican defense. The match against Mexico was the most threatening game when Son Heung-min was used as a joker, and even more so when Son Heung-min and Oh Hyeon-gyu coexisted on the field.

The relief from the burden of advancing to the Round of 32 following the victory over the Czech Republic could also allow for greater flexibility in Hong's starting lineup decisions. However, this does not necessarily mean that restrictions on playing time or exclusion from the starting lineup should be interpreted as a change in Son Heung-min's standing within the national team. Shortly after the Czech match, Hong Myung-bo expressed strong trust in Son Heung-min as captain, stating, "I do not think it is important that Son Heung-min missed his chances. Given his good goal-scoring form, I have no worries for the future."

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*This content was translated by AI.