Ki Sung-yueng and Koo Ja-cheol also expressed hesitation over Hong Myung-bo's selection... 'Son Heung-min utilization' at the center of controversy

*This content was translated by AI.

Throughout the preparation process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America, the biggest challenge for Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the South Korean national football team, has been the dilemma of 'how to utilize Son Heung-min (LAFC).' This concern appears to continue even after the World Cup opener. Coach Hong has repeatedly started Son Heung-min as a lone striker up front and then substituted him out, sparking criticism not only regarding his selection but also about his position and substitution timing.

Coach Hong placed Son Heung-min as the lone striker in a 3-4-2-1 formation in both the Group A opener against the Czech Republic on the 12th and the second match against Mexico on the 19th. Son Heung-min was substituted off in the 24th minute of the second half against the Czech Republic and in the 12th minute of the second half against Mexico. Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas) came on as a 'joker' to fill the front line left by Son Heung-min.

In the end, the decision worked in the Czech Republic match. Son Heung-min attempted six shots, constantly shaking the opposing defense throughout the game, and the substituted Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the dramatic late equalizer. Coach Hong's bold decision to remove Son Heung-min, the team captain and key asset, even drew attention from foreign media at the time.

However, the repeated utilization of Son Heung-min in the subsequent Mexico match was not threatening. Before the game, there were voices calling for a tactic that would place Oh Hyeon-gyu up front and Son Heung-min on the wing, but Coach Hong kept Son Heung-min up front as in the Czech match and substituted him off after just 12 minutes. Oh Hyeon-gyu took Son Heung-min's spot, and in the middle of the second half, tall striker Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland) was also deployed up front. However, all of Coach Hong's attacking cards failed, and South Korea suffered a painful 0-1 defeat to Mexico.

After the defeat against Mexico, many experts focused their attention on 'how to utilize Son Heung-min.' Former national team players Koo Ja-cheol and Ki Sung-yueng (Pohang Steelers), who had a master-disciple relationship with Coach Hong, were no exception. Through their YouTube channel 'Shoot for Love,' they repeatedly expressed regret over Coach Hong's utilization of Son Heung-min. Koo Ja-cheol said, "It seems like (Son) Heung-min was substituted too early," raising doubts about the early substitution timing. Son Heung-min, who played 69 minutes in the Czech match, played only 57 minutes in this game.

Ki Sung-yueng also pointed out Coach Hong's tactical choices regarding Son Heung-min's position. He stated, "I think (Son) Heung-min would have been more threatening in an attacking sense if he had played on the wing rather than as a lone striker. Although his speed may have declined compared to before, he still possesses the speed to threaten opponents, as seen in the first match." He added, "I also wonder if it would have been better to switch to a back four after scoring a goal to increase the number of attackers." Not only these individuals but also several foreign media outlets, including ESPN and The Athletic, expressed doubts about Son Heung-min's substitution timing.

Given that the method of 'starting Son Heung-min as a lone striker and then substituting him' proved completely ineffective in the Mexico match, not only external criticisms but also Coach Hong Myung-bo's dilemma over 'how to utilize Son Heung-min' has inevitably deepened. Beyond Son Heung-min's individual performance, the key lies in how much this player, who remains the one capable of placing the greatest burden on opposing defenders, can be maximized.

Regardless of his club performance, there are many points for Coach Hong to consider in the national team, such as coexisting by placing Oh Hyeon-gyu, who has been relegated to 'backup,' up front while moving Son Heung-min to the wing, and adjusting Son Heung-min's playing time to maximize the burden on opposing teams. The final group stage match against South Africa, which will serve as the turning point for Korea's advancement to the Round of 32, will be held on the 25th at 10 a.m. at the Monterrey Stadium in Mexico. South Korea will advance to the Round of 32 with a draw or better.

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*This content was translated by AI.