'Ahn Jung-hwan's Anger' Also Watched Across the Sea in Japan... "Son Heung-min Substitution Was Result-Oriented; A Rebuke for Excessive Criticism"

*This content was translated by AI.

Controversy over the early substitution of Son Heung-min (LAFC), captain of the South Korean national football team, has also drawn attention in Japan. Particularly, as 'legend' Ahn Jung-hwan (50) expressed displeasure at criticism regarding the timing of Son Heung-min's substitution, Japanese media outlets also reported on this.

Japanese media outlets Live Door News and Football Zone, among others, reported on the 23rd (Korean time) that "former South Korean national team striker Ahn Jung-hwan mentioned the early substitution of South Korean striker Son Heung-min on a program," and "Korean media conveyed that Ahn Jung-hwan sharply criticized the excessive criticism based on result-oriented logic, saying it was 'really unsightly.'"

Ahn Jung-hwan revisited South Korea's Group A second match against Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and Central America on the video titled "Say What Needs to Be Said, Anca-Cola," which was released on the 22nd on the 'Tiki Taka Taka Taka Talk Show.'

Under the guidance of coach Hong Myung-bo, South Korea conceded a winning goal to Luis Romero (Chivas) in the 5th minute of the second half in the match against Mexico held on the 19th, losing 0-1. During the defensive process, Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo) and Lee Gi-hyeok (Gangwon FC) collided, and when Kim Seung-gyu lost the ball, Romero did not miss the opportunity and attempted a shot, shaking the net.

From South Korea's perspective, a goal was necessary. Coach Hong Myung-bo made a bold decision. In the 12th minute of the second half, captain and ace Son Heung-min was substituted out, and Oh Hyun-gyu (Besiktas) was brought on. This was a somewhat early substitution. Previously, Coach Hong Myung-bo had also substituted Son Heung-min out in the 24th minute of the second half when South Korea was trailing 0-1 in the first match against the Czech Republic. At that time, Oh Hyun-gyu scored the winning goal, leading South Korea to a 2-1 comeback victory.

However, the same result did not occur in the Mexico match. South Korea pushed Mexico until the final moments of the game but ultimately failed to score an equalizer. In particular, Cho Gue-sung's (Midtjylland) header shot in the late second half was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper's super save, leaving them with regret. In the end, the match concluded with a 0-1 defeat for South Korea, leading to criticism that Son Heung-min was substituted too early.

Japanese media also covered this controversy. Football Zone explained, "The most controversial moment in this match was when Son Heung-min was substituted for Oh Hyun-gyu in the 12th minute of the second half while South Korea was trailing 0-1, leaving the field at an early time." It further reported, "In the previous match against the Czech Republic, the substituted Oh Hyun-gyu scored, and the substitution card was praised, but in the Mexico match, they ultimately failed to score an equalizer."

However, Ahn Jung-hwan expressed a different opinion regarding the criticism surrounding Son Heung-min's early substitution. He said, "They ask why Son Heung-min was taken out early. If Cho Gue-sung's header had gone in, look at that. Then it would be like this," while clapping his hands.

This meant that if Cho Gue-sung's header in the late second half had led to an equalizer, the evaluation of Son Heung-min's substitution would have been completely different. The point is that it is excessive to criticize the entire substitution decision solely because the result did not materialize.

Ahn Jung-hwan continued, "Don't just say that without thinking. That is the last thing you should do," and "General football fans can say that, but nonsensical things are being talked about strangely," pointing out sharply.

He also said, "I am on the side of our national football team, not on the side of Coach Hong Myung-bo," but added, "But when you look at it, they are trying to stir up trouble with that. I really can't stand seeing it," revealing his honest feelings. He then emphasized, "It looks too bad, and the players who hear such words also get hurt."

Football Zone pointed out that "Ahn Jung-hwan noted that if the decisive opportunity had been converted into a goal, everyone would have praised the coach's decision," and "He also said that stirring up controversy to attract attention is really unsightly, a very bad behavior, and that players also get hurt. He gave a rebuke for the excessive criticism."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.