From Comrades to Enemies... Step Aside for the Road to the Quarterfinals

'Tottenham Duo' Son Heung-min vs Richarlison... A Fateful Showdown

Richarlison and Son Heung-min. Photo by Son Heung-min SNS

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Son Heung-min and Richarlison, who played together as forwards at Tottenham Hotspur, will face off in a fierce battle on the World Cup stage.

The South Korean national football team, led by coach Paulo Bento, will play against Brazil in the Round of 16 at 4 a.m. (Korean time) on the 6th at the 974 Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The 'world-class' Son Heung-min has confirmed his status by meeting his team and league teammates in every match of this World Cup. Brazil's national team also includes Son’s club teammate Richarlison, raising expectations for the showdown between the two players.

Richarlison is well known to Korean fans as he scored the opening goal in a friendly match held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium last June. At that time, Richarlison was playing for Everton in the English Premier League (EPL), but he transferred to Tottenham this season and has been working closely with Son as a key part of the team's forward attack. Since his transfer, he has scored two goals in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) but has yet to score in the league; however, he is a skilled forward who scored 10 goals for Everton last season.

Born in 1992, Son Heung-min is five years older than Richarlison, who was born in 1997, but they are known to be close friends. The two players grew closer starting with the Korean tour last summer, and during the subsequent preseason tour, they posted a video dancing the ‘Pigeon Dance,’ which was popular in Brazil, further strengthening their bond.

When Son Heung-min and Richarlison meet in the Round of 16 match between South Korea and Brazil, Tottenham Hotspur posted an article titled "Son Heung-min Shedding Tears of Joy" on the homepage’s main screen on the 3rd, reporting on their matchup. The club stated, "Bentancur was unfortunately eliminated, but Son Heung-min had a happy time," and added, "Son Heung-min will face Richarlison in the Round of 16."

Son Heung-min, the Premier League top scorer in the 2021/22 season, was highly anticipated in this World Cup but showed somewhat sluggish performance due to aftereffects of an orbital fracture injury. However, he recovered his form by assisting Hwang Hee-chan’s winning goal in the last group stage match against Portugal. Richarlison’s condition is on the rise. In the Qatar World Cup, Richarlison proved his skill by scoring a superb goal in the group stage’s first match against Serbia. The fantastic scissors kick he performed in the 28th minute of the second half led to a goal and is being hailed as the ‘most spectacular goal’ of this tournament.

Richarlison is leading Brazil’s attack in the absence of the team ace Neymar. Neymar injured his right ankle in the first group stage match against Serbia and missed the following two matches. He did not participate in team training afterward but returned for the first time on the 3rd after the group stage ended.

Brazil coach Tite did not give a definite answer about Neymar’s participation in the Round of 16 during a press conference held on the 4th at the World Cup Main Media Center in Al Rayyan, Qatar. He said, "Neymar will participate in today’s (official) training, and if his condition is good tomorrow, he will play in the Round of 16 match," adding, "I am not making a decision at this moment." However, the prevailing view is that Neymar is likely to play.

For the Korean team, the participation of ‘monster defender’ Kim Min-jae, the defensive core, is a variable. Kim Min-jae missed the third match against Portugal due to a right calf muscle injury sustained in the second group stage match against Uruguay.

It is good news for the Korean team that Hwang Hee-chan is regaining full fitness. Hwang missed the first two group stage matches due to a hamstring injury but came on as a substitute in the last match against Portugal and scored the winning goal that secured advancement to the Round of 16.

Coach Bento was reserved about the participation of Kim Min-jae and Hwang Hee-chan. In a pre-match press conference, he said, "We have not yet decided who will start," and added, "We will make a decision later."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.