*This content was translated by AI.
Korean football legend and broadcaster Ahn Jung-hwan (50) expressed strong displeasure over criticisms regarding the early substitution of Son Heung-min (LAFC).
On the 22nd, Ahn Jung-hwan revisited South Korea's second group stage match against Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean through a video titled "Say What You Want to Say, Anca-Cola" released on the TikTok variety show "Tiki Tika Taka Talk Talk Show."
At that time, South Korea fought hard but conceded a winning goal to Luis Romero (Chivas) in the 5th minute of the second half, losing 0-1. During the defensive play, goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo) and defender Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon FC) collided, and this incident led to the goal.
Following this, Hong Myung-bo, the South Korean national team head coach, made a bold decision. He called captain Son Heung-min to the bench and brought on Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas). He also replaced Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) with Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), making changes to the attacking lineup.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo had also substituted Son Heung-min early in the first match against the Czech Republic. That choice proved correct. Oh Hyeon-gyu, who came on as a substitute, scored the go-ahead winning goal, leading South Korea to a 2-1 victory. Coach Hong expected a similar effect in the Mexico match, but the result did not follow.
Criticism arose regarding the timing of Son Heung-min's substitution. Some football experts also pointed out that Son Heung-min's movement was lighter in the Mexico match compared to the Czech match, expressing regret over the substitution tactic.
However, Ahn Jung-hwan's view was different. He said, "People ask why Son Heung-min was taken off early. If Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland) had scored with a header, then that would be it," while clapping his hands.
This meant that if Cho Gue-sung's header had tied the game in the final moments of the second half, the evaluation of Son Heung-min's substitution tactic would have been completely different.
Ahn Jung-hwan continued, "Don't just say that without thinking. That's the last thing you should do." He added, "Ordinary football fans can say that, but people are making a fuss about things that didn't even happen."
He also said, "I am on the side of our national football team, not on the side of head coach Hong Myung-bo," but added, "But when I see it, they are trying to stir up trouble with that. I can't stand it, I'm dying of disgust."
He emphasized, "It looks too bad, and the players who hear such words get hurt."
Ahn Jung-hwan believed that provocative criticism and attempts to shake the players on a big stage like the World Cup could hurt them. The message was that sincere encouragement and support for the national team are needed rather than indiscriminate criticism.
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*This content was translated by AI.
