football 4 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Son Heung-min's Goal Drought Raises Concerns for South Korea Ahead of World Cup
South Korean football icon Son Heung-min is facing a goal drought heading into the World Cup, prompting questions about his team's attacking prowess. While a recent brace offered a glimmer of hope, his fading sharpness could impact the team's strategy under coach Hong Myung-bo. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/world-cup/goals-dry-up-for-south-korea-s-favourite-son-ahead-of-world-cup-5484944
As the World Cup approaches, South Korea’s star player Son Heung-min is experiencing a concerning dry spell in front of goal. The veteran forward, a long-time talisman for his national team, has seen his scoring touch falter since his move from Tottenham Hotspur to LAFC in 2025. He endured a 13-game scoreless streak in the league at the start of the 2026 season, a stark contrast to his previous prolific form.
Despite his struggles, Son remains a crucial figure for the Taeguk Warriors. He is expected to be a guaranteed starter in their opening Group A match against the Czech Republic on June 11. With 56 international goals, he is second only to Cha Bum-kun on South Korea’s all-time scoring list. However, the gap between his goal tally and that of the next highest scorer, Hwang Hee-chan (17 goals), is substantial, and Hwang often operates as a wide attacker rather than a central striker.
While Son recently netted twice in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago, showcasing flashes of his former brilliance, coach Hong Myung-bo may consider tactical adjustments if his goal-scoring form doesn’t improve. This could involve deploying Son in a supporting role, with striker Oh Hyeon-gyu potentially leading the line. Oh, who has impressed at Besiktas, offers a more physically imposing option upfront.
Son’s potential departure from international football after the World Cup, following his consideration of retirement after the 2024 Asian Cup, leaves a looming void in leadership and star power. With only Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae currently playing for elite European clubs, the team’s reliance on seasoned players like Son is evident. Their World Cup campaign begins with a crucial match against the Czech Republic, followed by a challenging fixture against co-hosts Mexico and a clash with South Africa. While many expect South Korea to struggle past the round of 16, they aim to surprise, drawing inspiration from their memorable semi-final run in 2002.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)