Son Heung-min calls on South Korea fans to support new coach despite disappointment

SEOUL – Son Heung-min has called for South Korean fans to refrain from targeting their new coach after he was booed during a 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw against Palestine. The skipper expressed his disappointment at the reaction, stating that it was upsetting.

South Korea are on their fourth coach in 2024 in Hong Myung-bo but the 55-year-old was jeered before, during and after the disappointing stalemate on Sept 5 in Seoul.

Defender Kim Min-jae, who plays for Bayern Munich, confronted home fans at the end after they made their feelings clear. Tottenham Hotspur ace Son told reporters afterwards: “As captain of this team I’d like to ask our fans for their love and support.”

On Kim remonstrating with the fans, he added: “They came here to root for us and if they can keep things in a positive mood, it will help us and motivate us to compete harder.

“At least when we’re playing at home, we shouldn’t be creating our own enemies.”

South Korean fans have been angered by the selection of Hong, who is in his second stint in charge, and the way the South Korean football association chose him with a “lack of transparency”.

“I understand where the fans come from. This is something I will have to endure going forward,” Hong said of the jeering, Yonhap New Agency reported.

Lee Kang-in, South Korea’s most potent attacking force in a game that the hosts could have lost late on, also called on fans to get behind the new boss and the team.

“I can’t speak for everyone, but honestly, as a member of the national team, I find it very unfortunate that we started our match with boos,” the Paris Saint-Germain star said.

Despite a poor night to start the third qualifying round, South Korea should still make it out of Group B and reach the 2026 World Cup. The Taeguek Warriors had made it to the last 10 editions of the global spectacle.

They face Oman away on Sept 10.

Elsewhere, Roberto Mancini’s Saudi Arabia were held to a surprise 1-1 draw in their Group C opener at home to Indonesia, a team ranked 77 spots below them.

The visitors took the lead when Ragnar Oratmangoen deflected the ball past goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais in the 19th minute. Musab Al-Juwayr’s own deflected strike in first-half stoppage time then levelled matters.

Salem Al-Dawsari squandered a golden opportunity to put the Saudis ahead 12 minutes from time when his penalty was saved by Indonesia goalkeeper Maarten Paes.

“We had a lot of difficulties right from the start of the match. The hot weather affected both teams. However, we had a great performance and I am proud of the level of the players,” said coach Shin Tae-yong of Indonesia, the only South-east Asian side left.

“I have a lot of confidence in my players. Indonesia will be the dark horse of the qualifiers.” AFP,