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| Sportschosun DB |
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Son Heung-min, who returned from injury, set a milestone in Asian soccer history.
Tottenham lost 0-2 in the 36th round of the English Premier League (EPL) match against Crystal Palace at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, at 10:15 p.m. on the 11th (Korea time). Tottenham fell to 17th place.
Son Heung-min, who had been out of power for a while due to a foot injury, finally returned. Son Heung-min, who left the ground after the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals and a home game against Eintracht Frankfurt on the 11th of last month, has been focusing on recovery since then. Son Heung-min, who missed seven games due to a foot injury, was waiting to play against Palace.
Son Heung-min's return was expected to some extent. Coach Postecoglou said ahead of the second leg of the Europa League (UEL) semifinals against Bohd/Glimt, `Son Heung-min was working really hard on his recovery, and his condition is getting better. There is a slight possibility of playing in weekend games, but he has yet to participate in team training. Still, he is showing recovery, so we will watch his condition a little longer. Son Heung-min's return is not far away.
After Tottenham's advance to the UEL final was confirmed, Son Heung-min also announced his return by leaving a message on his personal SNS, "See you soon at the stadium." Son Heung-min, who is not in 100% physical condition yet, was listed as a substitute against Palace. Son Heung-min was expected to appear in the second half as he needed to recover his physical condition ahead of the UEL final.
Son Heung-min watched his team's disastrous performance first from the bench. Tottenham, which had a large number of rotation members, was consistent with its worst performance. Tottenham, which had a loose right defense throughout the first half, allowed a first run just before the end of the first half. Again, Daniel Munoz properly allowed space. Muñoz turned the ball over to Echeverrie Eze in a perfect scoring opportunity, and Eze pushed it into the empty net.
Tottenham needed a definite change in the second half. However, as soon as the second half started, he gave up another run. Palace's counterattack began in the third minute of the second half. Ismaila Sarr's shot was blocked, but Sarr caught the ball again and handed it over to Eze, and Eze finished lightly. Tottenham, who failed to control Eze's one-man show, could not put off the change.
Frustrated Tottenham eventually put Son Heung-min in the 13th minute of the second half without Pedro Porro. Son Heung-min took on the role of front-line striker. Son Heung-min did not look light yet, whether it was the first game in a month or the aftermath of his injury.
In the 25th minute of the second half, Tottenham succeeded in a pass play from the back for the first time in a long time, creating an opportunity for Son Heung-min. Son Heung-min targeted the offside line through good movement and took the opportunity to score. However, unlike Son Heung-min, his shooting timing was delayed and he was blocked by the hand-to-hand defense.
In the 29th minute of the second half, Son Heung-min took the opportunity to score as Matistel won a free kick. He was in a position to score directly, but he didn't aim for the score directly but raised it. Son Heung-min's kick was blocked by defense.
Son Heung-min's good scoring chance also came in the 44th minute of the second half. Tell immediately tried to counterattack as he blocked Palace's ball. When Son Heung-min penetrated into the space, Tel sent the pass. Son Heung-min tried to shoot right away this time, but he got caught in defense. He got back up and tried to attack, but he fouled Mark Gehi.
Son Heung-min played for about 35 minutes and had to settle for two shots. Tottenham's performance was so serious that Son Heung-min was not properly supported. Son Heung-min also seemed to still need to improve his physical condition.
Postecoglou also said after the game, `It was good to give Son time to play in the game. Hopefully we can give more playing time against Aston Villa as well. It's important to get him back in the team and get him back in the game."
Defeat is always painful, but what matters to Son Heung-min and Tottenham now is not the league. I need a UEL trophy so I can escape from the swamp of no officers. Tottenham will play the UEL final against Manchester United at San Mames Barria in Bilbao, Spain, on the 22nd. It's a one-off match. For Son Heung-min, who will soon turn 33 years old, it is a valuable opportunity to win the championship that may be difficult to come back to in the rest of his career.
This victory means more than just a trophy. With the great reward of going straight to the European Champions League next season, it is a stage that can erase the label of the team and their own 'no relation'. Son Heung-min, who leads the team as a captain, is more responsible than ever. It is time to focus only on recovering condition.
Son Heung-min also met with Sports Chosun after the game and came back much faster than the plan. I have to do what I have to do. I want to focus on the most important game by raising my physical condition"He said he would use the rest of his time to play against Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Son Heung-min played his 332nd EPL game as a substitute against Palace. Son Heung-min, who has played in 332 games, tied for 98th in the history of the EPL. It is the first record set by an Asian athlete. It ranks ninth in the EPL among active players.
Reporter Kim Dae-sik rlaeotlr2024@sportschosun.com
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
