After 7 months, an A match is played with a starting list without Son Heung-min. The opponent is South American powerhouse Peru.메이저놀이터

The Korean national soccer team, led by coach Jurgen Klinsmann, will play a friendly A match against the Peru national team at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium at 8:00 pm on the 16th. The Klinsman, which lifted anchor last March, is challenging for his first victory. In the previous two A-matches played in March, they had 1 draw and 1 loss.

Captain Son Heung-min is not in my condition. Son Heung-min underwent sports hernia surgery as soon as he finished the schedule for the 2022-23 season with his team, Tottenham. He’s only about two weeks since his surgery, so he’s focusing on recovery training rather than formal training.

An official from the Korea Football Association said, “The player himself has a strong will to participate. However, he hopes not to overdo it as it is a friendly match. Director Klinsman and the coaching staff will give Son Heung-min a break.”

Coach Klinsman said at a pre-press conference held on the 15th, “Son Heung-min is not in 100% physical condition. He is getting better, but I will watch the situation more,” he said. “I will put Son Heung-min on the bench in tomorrow’s game. The captain will be Kim Seung-gyu,” he predicted.

It is the first time in seven months that the Korean national team has played without Son Heung-min. In November of last year, Son Heung-min was absent from the game against Iceland, which was held at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. At the time, it was difficult to convene overseas teams, and Son Heung-min was lying down with an orbital fracture injury. Korea won 1-0 against Iceland.

It’s a good time to test Plan B. Director Klinsman said, “We will also prepare a plan B and a plan C. Son Heung-min is unable to play, but Hwang Hee-chan has returned from injury. Good young players have also joined the national team. We will see which player is right for the national team.”

Members in positions similar to Son Heung-min in this national team list include Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Na Sang-ho (FC Seoul), Lee Kang-in (Mallorca), and Moon Seon-min (Jeonbuk Hyundai). Director Klinsman pointedly mentioned Hwang Hee-chan. Hwang Hee-chan, who missed an A match in March, is expected to get his first sortie opportunity after the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Na Sang-ho is also in peak condition recently. Na Sang-ho scored 8 goals and 2 assists in 18 matches in the K-League 1 this season. It is the scoring power corresponding to the joint 2nd place in the scoring ranking. Hwang Hee-chan and Na Sang-ho, born in 1996, compete in good faith for the role of ‘Son Heung-min replacement’.

The opponent team Peru, who will face off this time, is a team called South American powerhouse. Comparing the June FIFA rankings of South American countries, Argentina (1st), Brazil (3rd), Uruguay (16th), Colombia (17th) are followed by Peru (21st). For reference, Korea is ranked 27th.

The opponent record between Korea and Peru is 1 draw and 1 loss, and Korea is inferior. South Korea lost 0-4 away in 1971 and drew 0-0 at home in 2013. It is an opportunity to aim for the first goal against Peru and the first win at the same time.