Son Heung-min "I Did My Best but Sorry for Not Meeting Expectations"

"All players dedicated themselves, and there is no doubt about their efforts"

On the 6th (Korean time), the Round of 16 match between South Korea and Brazil was held at the 974 Stadium in Doha, Qatar during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Son Heung-min of the national football team, which lost 1-4, is greeting the spectators after the match ended.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "It's okay that I'm hurt. Compared to the hardships the players endured, it's nothing, so it's okay. I am very sorry to the people who cheered for us."

Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur), the 'captain' of the South Korean national soccer team, repeatedly bowed his head in apology immediately after the match against Brazil. Despite suffering from facial injuries and pain, he showed a mask-wearing fighting spirit, but the wall of the world's strongest Brazil was high.

Led by coach Paulo Bento, the South Korean team lost 1-4 to Brazil in the Round of 16 of the 2022 Qatar World Cup held on the 6th (Korean time) at the 974 Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The challenge for the first-ever World Cup quarterfinal advancement ended here.

Standing before the camera with a gloomy expression, Son Heung-min said, "The players worked very hard," and "I am very sorry to the soccer fans and the people who cheered for us. We did our best, but I think it was a difficult match because we couldn't close the gap with Brazil," bowing his head.

After three group stage matches in a row, Son Heung-min's fighting spirit, who started every game and played full-time, shone in moments of crisis. In the match against Portugal, he made a brilliant penetrating pass to Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) in added time of the second half to assist the winning goal.

After the joy of advancing to the Round of 16, Brazil, who replenished their stamina through rest, relentlessly pressed South Korea with dazzling individual skills.

Whenever the ball went to Son Heung-min, two to three Brazilian defenders immediately marked him. Knowing Son's excellent dribbling skills, Brazil thoroughly blocked passes by pushing him to the corner every time he had the ball.

Trailing 0-4 to Brazil in the first half, Son Heung-min launched a threatening shot toward the Brazilian goal right at the start of the second half, applying forward pressure to try to make a comeback. South Korea scored a consolation goal in the 31st minute of the second half when Baek Seung-ho's mid-range shot shook the Brazilian net, preventing the worst possible result.

On the 6th (Korean time), the Round of 16 match between South Korea and Brazil in the 2022 Qatar World Cup was held at the 974 Stadium in Doha, Qatar. National team player Son Heung-min is wiping sweat during the match.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

After the match ended 1-4, Son Heung-min shook hands and hugged his teammates, offering words of encouragement.

He emphasized, "We also did our best, but I think it was a very difficult match," adding, "Still, all the players fought proudly to get this far, and there is no doubt that they dedicated themselves and worked hard." He calmly said, "I have nothing to say but that I am sorry we couldn't meet the expectations of those who cheered for us," but also asked for understanding, saying, "Still, since the players and staff really prepared for the match with their best efforts, I hope people can understand."

Thus, Son Heung-min's third World Cup ended at the Round of 16. After the match, he was also seen sharing a warm hug with Richarlison of Brazil, his Tottenham teammate and a constant attacking threat throughout the game.

After three attempts, Son Heung-min experienced his first World Cup Round of 16 advancement in this tournament. Following Son at the Qatar World Cup, young players such as Lee Kang-in, Cho Gyu-sung, and Baek Seung-ho stood out. Son encouraged his juniors, saying, "They should feel a sense of responsibility and do well," and added, "I am proud to be able to put my name on the stage of the World Cup and show my skills. This is not the end, and I hope they become even better players in the future."

It was a meaningful challenge, but the result must be especially disappointing for Son Heung-min. Having scored 23 goals last season in the EPL and sharing the top scorer title, Son is recognized as the world's best striker. Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), who faced him in the Round of 16, scored 22 goals in the regular season last year, but France's Ligue 1 is considered a tier below the EPL. Neymar also played with an ankle injury, but Son's challenge, who wore a facial protective mask throughout the World Cup and could not show his full ability, leaves even greater regret.

Son Heung-min said, "I was impressed by the hard work of both the players who played and those who didn't, and I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the players," and added, "I will try to show a more developed side together with the players in the future, so please give us lots of support," concluding his third World Cup challenge.

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