*This content was translated by AI.
Two aces representing South Korean football, Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) and Lee Kang-in (25, Atletico Madrid), may soon form a striking duo in the national team. While they have rarely played as direct partners for the national team before, their increased utility stems from both players recently starting to occupy forward positions in their respective clubs.
Son Heung-min, who has long been recognized as one of England's Premier League's top attackers primarily playing on the left wing, has now become more accustomed to the role of a central striker. Although he is frequently deployed across wide areas or even in midfield, his primary focus remains up front. In the Major League Soccer (MLS) 22nd-round match against Portland Timbers held on the 23rd (Korea time), Son Heung-min once again took on the role of a lone striker at the forefront.
The same applies to his usage in the national team. Former South Korean national team coach Hong Myung-bo classified Son Heung-min not as a left winger but as a central striker, aligning with his move to LAFC and the changed role he now plays for his club. In fact, Son Heung-min already started as a central striker in both the first and second group-stage matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Czechia and Mexico in June.
Meanwhile, Lee Kang-in's position change after transferring to Atletico Madrid is also significant. Previously, while playing for clubs like Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), he mainly operated as a right winger or central midfielder. This influenced how the national team utilized him as well. For a long time in the national team, Lee Kang-in secured his place as a right-sided second-line midfielder. Whether the formation was 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3, the role of right-sided attacker belonged to Lee Kang-in.
However, his role has changed since joining Atletico Madrid. Starting from his debut match against Manchester City on the 9th at Seoul World Cup Stadium, he appeared as part of a striking duo. Although he operated in a slightly deeper position compared to a traditional central striker and moved widely across both wide areas and midfield, his basic positioning remained up front. This role is clearly different from Lee Kang-in's usual position.
This change in Lee Kang-in's role is also drawing attention in Spain. Inigo Perez, coach of Villarreal, stated, "We have observed how Lee Kang-in plays and what kind of situations he creates from a position different from before," expressing caution regarding his new positioning. Although the season is still in its early stages, Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid and local media are primarily focusing on utilizing Lee Kang-in more as a 'striker' rather than a midfielder.
With changes in his club role, Lee Kang-in's usage within the national team could also undergo significant shifts. Depending on who is appointed as the interim coach currently being recruited by the Korea Football Association, and eventually who becomes the permanent head coach, tactical adjustments may occur in the national team. However, the fact that both Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in are actively playing as central strikers for their respective clubs serves as an invaluable clue.
While it may seem that the 'lone striker' system has become the main tactic for the South Korean national team, the country has frequently tested the striking duo formation in the past. Former coach Paulo Bento (Portugal) experimented with Hwang Ui-jo and Son Heung-min or Hwang Ui-jo and Cho Gue-sung as a striking pair. During Shin Tae-yong's tenure as head coach, a striking duo centered around Son Heung-min was also deployed.
Of course, deploying both Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in up front simultaneously requires addressing several challenges, such as forming a solid midfield combination or establishing an overall tactical framework. Nevertheless, the tactic of positioning Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in side by side in attack is itself a formidable weapon that could place significant pressure on opposing teams. The mere possibility of these two aces representing South Korean football forming a striking duo up front is already an exciting prospect for fans.
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*This content was translated by AI.
