South Korean national football team coach Jürgen Klinsmann is receiving international criticism from fans despite his side’s 6-0 victory over Vietnam.
Jürgen Klinsmann | RTL
On October 17, South Korea’s national football team took on Vietnam. Considering the gap in FIFA rankings (SK 28th Viet 95th), not many expected the match to be very close.
Fans, therefore, were surprised and dismayed when they saw Son Heung Min play the game’s full 90+ minutes despite the Korean team winning by 6 goals. Fans’ concerns reached a fever-pitch when at the match’s half, Son Heung Min could be seen gingerly walking off the pitch.
Son Heung Min, who is currently nursing a groin injury, is the captain and arguably most important player on Premier League side Tottenham Hotspurs, which currently sits on top of the Premier League table.
Son Heung Min | @hm_son7/Instagram
Despite the team’s great start to their campaign, concerns have been raised about the Spurs’ depth, with the team’s all-time goal scorer, Harry Kane, having left for Bundesliga side Bayern Munich. The team has also looked toothless when Son Heung Min and James Maddison have been off the pitch.
Harry Kane | Bayern Munich
Perhaps sensing the controversy, Son Heung Min revealed that he had asked the coach to play, stating that it would have been unacceptable for him not to play in front of the Korean fans.
I discussed with the gaffer (Klinsmann) and said I will play the game as I cannot forgive myself if I don’t play for Korea national team in front of Korean fans when I return to Korea. [sic]
— Son Heung Min
Still, many feel that there is no excuse for playing the player for the whole duration of the match.
What are your thoughts?
“Nah this is a joke…”