AFC Asian Cup 2019: Can Son Heung-min lead South Korea to continental glory?

With 23 goals in his kitty, the Tottenham man will be aiming for further glory with his national team.

On 16th January 2019, when South Korea take on China at the Al-Nahyan Stadium in their penultimate Group C fixture, the stage will be all set for Asia's most prolific player in the Premier League – Son Heung-min. Although, it probably will be a sparring match for the Taegeuk Warriors, unless Lady Luck has other plans in their encounters against the Philippines and Kyrgyz Republic. 

The Tottenham man won't be present for his side's first two group fixtures due to his commitments in the Premier League, as his side will be facing rivals Manchester United. However, he will join his country for their clash against Team Dragon.

The 2018 Asian Games victory helped Son and his teammates escape compulsory military service

On the back of a pretty decent FIFA World Cup, with a win against Germany and a title-winning Asian Games campaign, the Tottenham star will be gunning for more continental success. After all it was the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, when the attacker came into the limelight.

Equipped with electric pace and a deadly shot with either foot, the 26-year-old garnered attention from European clubs, as the South Koreans reached the final, eventually losing out to Australia. The loss against the Socceroos wasn't the end for Son or his nation, with Spurs splurging £22m on a not-so proven forward. At Bayer Leverkusen, he had become a fan-favourite and the trend has continued in his time with the English outfit.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Son possess a powerful shot from either foot

The twinkle-toed forward has already appeared 74 times for his country (scoring 23 goals), and has become an essential member of the squad. Manager Paulo Bento has slowly built his team around the three-time KFA Footballer of the Year, relying on his strengths and covering up his weaknesses. His strengths are his immaculate ability to hold onto the ball, an amazing footballing brain which helps him produce accurate through balls, key passes in the final third and a powerful shot which can rattle even the best of goalkeepers. His weaknesses lie in aerial duels and a lack of interest in crossing the ball.

The forward is a good crosser, but he loves to dribble along the flanks and to slot in delicious low balls, which can rip apart any opposition. His weakness in aerial duels doesn't mean he is not good in making tackles. As we have seen in the Premier League, the Korean always loves to make a strong, rough interception. He loves to be a part of short and crisp build-ups and has a penchant for long shots. To sum it all up, he is a counter-attacking threat, which we have seen whenever he dons the Spurs jersey or his national colours; ask Joachim Low, he will tell you!

It is worth noting that the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or nominee scored his first international goal in the AFC Asian Cup's 2011 edition; in a 4-1 group stage rout of India. His importance to Bento's tactics is clear. The Portuguese believes in a counter-attacking style and the Spurs man is his perfect talisman.

Commitment to the national team

Watch: Some of Son's best goals for his country

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He was part of his nation at the 2014 World Cup and also scored a goal in the group stage. Fast forward to the 2014 Asian Games, his club Leverkusen refused to let him go for the continental event as he would miss six fixtures for the club. Although, this caused controversy in South Korea, it proved his value as a player.

In the 2015 AFC Asian Cup (in Australia), he proved his mettle and commitment with a world-class performance. In the quarterfinals, he scored both of his side's goals in an extra-time win over Uzbekistan. In the final against the Socceroos, although he scored his country's equalizer, the hosts beat them in extra-time. The loss wasn't a bad thing, as he ended up in the Team of the Tournament and Tottenham came calling.

It is true that his country expects a lot from him. A prolific player in Europe, they expect him to replicate the form in international tournaments, little realizing the pressure involved in such competitions.

At the 2018 World Cup, he was part of an inspired South Korean team, who, although they didn't progress to the knockout stages, won hearts. Son scored two goals; a sweet curler in a loss to Mexico and typical counter-attacking goal in the win against defending champions Germany.

The team's performance in Russia set the stage for their winning performance at the the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. The win against Germany built-up a new confidence in the side, with fans supporting them more; also a gold medal meant exemption from compulsory military service. The 2016-17 FA Cup top scorer captained his side in their penultimate group fixture, scoring the solitary goal in a win against the Kyrgyz Republic. He went on to captain them in the knockout stages too. In the final against favourites Japan, Son assisted both of his side's extra-time goals in a 2-1 win.

Conclusion

This Premier League season has been Son's best yet, with eight goals and five assists in 11 appearances. He has become a vital cog in Mauricio Pochettino's team, ousting the likes of Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura to the bench on a rather permanent basis.

Even if he is not in form in a certain match, he has some brilliant teammates to count on

To reaffirm, Son is not the only excellent player Bento has under him. Obviously, he is world-class, but the coach does have other good players who will help the forward in South Korea's search for another continental success on the back of their Asian Games win. FC Augsburg forward Ji Dong-won and midfielder Koo Jacheol have the calibre to change the game too.

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Dong-won has scored 11 international goals, meanwhile, Jacheol has 19 in his kitty. Also, Newcastle midfielder Ki Sung-yueng is there to be his country's main creative outlet. The Magpies man has good vision and will be dictating his team's play. Also, Lee Jae-sung from Bundesliga 2's Holstein Kiel is another crucial player for his side, with excellent technique. Furthermore, youngster Hwang In-beom is an amazing midfielder who plies his trade for Daejeon Citizen in his native and was a part of the Asian Games winning team.

So, by the time the top Asian goalscorer in Premier League history joins the fold, it is hoped that these players will help South Korea to a comfortable spot in their group until the fixture against China, before Son can aid their quest for the continent's top honour.