'Son Heung-min, you shouldn't be written like that' — Park Ji-sung's sharp rebuke... Coach Hong Myung-bo confirms "LINE-up changes" — The bold card is [World Cup On-Site Issues]

*This content was translated by AI.

Will the Son Heung-min and Oh Hyeon-gyu striking duo finally be deployed to break through the tightly blocked offensive lines of Hong Myung-bo's team?

The South Korean national football team will play the final group stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America against South Africa at 10 a.m. (Korea time) on the 25th at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico.

Currently ranked second in the group with one win and one loss (three points), South Korea will advance to the round of 32 with a draw, but a loss could see them drop to fourth place depending on the results. Relying solely on a defensive strategy aimed at securing a draw leaves the team vulnerable to unexpected blows that could derail all plans. To safely secure second place, a decisive goal and a victory are essential.

Naturally, attention turns to tactical changes in the attacking lineup. In the first two matches of this tournament, Coach Hong Myung-bo stuck with a single-striker system featuring Son Heung-min (LAFC), using Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas) only as a substitute. There was not a single minute where both players were on the field simultaneously.

The problem is that this pattern has become predictable to opponents, leaving Son Heung-min completely isolated in the forward line. In the second match against Mexico, Son Heung-min was substituted off unusually early in the 12th minute of the second half, sparking debates about his tactical deployment.

Lee E (CEO), a senior player on the team and commentator Park Ji-sung, also offered a sharp diagnosis. On the 23rd (local time), Park told reporters at the training ground, "Son Heung-min was often isolated in the forward line during the first two matches, and there were too few passes connected to him." He added, "Son Heung-min's strength lies in his finishing ability, so we need to create space and passes that can utilize that strength," expressing his regret.

He continued, "If Son Heung-min repeatedly makes forward runs without receiving passes, he will expend a significant amount of energy and may not be able to perform when it truly matters," emphasizing the need for effective attacking play.

Coach Hong Myung-bo, who holds the reins, also signaled changes. During an official press conference held on the same afternoon, Coach Hong stated, "The complacent thinking that a draw is enough will only create difficulties," and declared, "There will be changes in two or three positions in the starting lineup."

The coexistence of the two players has already been proven to be destructive. In last September's match against Mexico, Coach Hong deployed Oh Hyeon-gyu as the starting striker and made an unconventional move by placing Son Heung-min on the wing in the second half. As Oh Hyeon-gyu used his heavy physical presence to hold the opposing defense, space opened up for Son Heung-min to penetrate the center. Oh Hyeon-gyu headed the ball down, and Son Heung-min scored with a volley, proving perfect synergy.

The final opponent, South Africa, is clearly shorter in stature and tends to tighten the space behind the defense compared to previous matchups against Czechia and Mexico. Oh Hyeon-gyu, who scored the dramatic winning goal in the first match against Czechia, or Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland), who showcased his presence with a powerful header in the second half of the second match, could create cracks in the opposing short-statured defense with their physical strength at the front line, while Son Heung-min exploits the gaps. This structure could be the best solution.

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

*This content was translated by AI.