Son Heung-min, who is recovering from a thigh injury, has been named to the national soccer team roster for the two October A-matches. However, his participation remains uncertain. During a press conference at the Football Association Hall in Seoul on Tuesday, national team coach Hong Myung-bo announced the national team roster for the two 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asian 3rd qualifying round matches. Korea will play against Jordan on Oct. 10 in an away match and face Iraq on Oct. 15 at Mir Stadium in Yongin City.
Director Hong addressed Son Heung-min’s situation, explaining that Son experienced thigh pain and was substituted in the 25th minute of the second half of Tottenham Hotspur’s UEFA Europa League match against Qarabag on Friday. He was also benched during the EPL match against Manchester United on Monday, the same day the national team roster was announced.
I communicated directly with Son Heung-min, and he told me his injury is gradually improving, so I included him in the list,” Coach Hong said. “Tottenham Hotspur determined Son was not fit to play yet but would reassess his condition as the matches approached.”
As an alternative plan, Hong mentioned that if Son cannot play, other players, including Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Jae-sung, and Bae Jun-ho, could step in to fill his role.
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Dejan Kulusevski has made it very clear what Tottenham must do under Ange Postecoglou following their 3-0 win at Manchester United on Sunday.
Spurs dismantled Erik ten Hag’s side from the first whistle and were already well on top before Bruno Fernandes’ 42nd minute red card for a challenge on James Maddison. Goals from Brennan Johnson, Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke ensured the three points came back from Old Trafford but Tottenham could have more than double that scoreline if they had taken more of the numerous chances they created.
For Kulusevski, who has been Spurs’ best player so far this season in a deeper midfield role, completed nine key passes during the game and he is relishing his role under Postecoglou.
This is my position and I grew a lot because now I can defend. Before maybe I didn’t defend as much, and that was why I didn’t play in the midfield,” said the Swede. “But now I’m growing as a player and then I can play to my strengths. I’m best in the middle, I can score goals, I can find good passes, then I play with Maddison who’s unbelievable with the ball.
We have Bentancur who when he plays like this is an unbelievable player, so it looks offensive on the paper but right now it’s working really good.”
The key Kulusevski believes is to take this four-game winning run in the weeks ahead in the Europa League and Premier League with continued consistency.
That’s what champions do. Every day you have to perform and you have to win games, so it’s very important,” he said.
“That’s how we need to play. Our season started now. Four wins in a row, the feeling is very good. A lot of happy players and it’s showing on the pitch.”
Kulusevski had plenty of praise for 23-year-old Johnson, who has scored in four consecutive games since deactivating his Instagram account to get away from abuse following the North London Derby defeat.
“[Brennan’s been] unbelievable, but that’s a good thing [he is off social media], because social media is overrated, I think,” said the Swede. “So, he can focus on the right things, to play football. Four games, four goals is unbelievable.
“Today, he could score two – he hit the post one time – but he’s been doing really good, and he’s a really good guy, young guy, and we need him. We need him to perform like this every game, and we’re here to support it.”
He added on Johnson’s £50million transfer fee from Nottingham Forest at such a young age: “I think it’s so much that can weigh down on you as a player, because millions of people have opinions on you every day.
“But the important thing is to don’t listen to nobody, and just to be with your family and trust in yourself and work hard, then nothing can stop you.
“I think every player goes through [tough times], and you just have to go through it because you just need to learn. Sometimes you’re questioning everything, but you just have to forget and remember why you started and remember who you are and where you want to go. That’s what I’m doing right now.”
Kulusevski also had praise for striker Dominic Solanke, who has scored in three consecutive games since his £65million move from Bournemouth last month.
He impressed me a lot with his work rate especially,” said Kulusevski. “He’s a great guy, and he’s making a lot of things much easier to us, and when he scores goals that’s the best thing.”
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