Korea’s Son Praises Teammates for Making 100th Appearance Memorable

South Korea's Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring the goal against Chile during a friendly match at Daejeon World Cup Stadium in Daejeon, South Korea, Monday, June 6, 2022. (AP)
South Korea's Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring the goal against Chile during a friendly match at Daejeon World Cup Stadium in Daejeon, South Korea, Monday, June 6, 2022. (AP)
TT
20

Korea’s Son Praises Teammates for Making 100th Appearance Memorable

South Korea's Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring the goal against Chile during a friendly match at Daejeon World Cup Stadium in Daejeon, South Korea, Monday, June 6, 2022. (AP)
South Korea's Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring the goal against Chile during a friendly match at Daejeon World Cup Stadium in Daejeon, South Korea, Monday, June 6, 2022. (AP)

South Korea forward Son Heung-min thanked his teammates for making his 100th appearance in national colors one to remember after they recovered from a drubbing against Brazil last week to ease past Chile on Monday.

Son marked the landmark with a stunning late free kick to seal the 2-0 win over 10-man Chile after Hwang Hee-chan had put the hosts in front with a first-half strike.

"More so than my goal, I want to thank my teammates for competing in this match with such a great attitude," Son was quoted as saying by the Yonhap News Agency after the win in Daegu.

"It's always difficult to bounce back so quickly after the kind of loss we had against Brazil. But everyone showed a lot of mental toughness. I am so happy to have won my 100th match."

The World Cup-bound Koreans were thumped 5-1 by Brazil in Seoul last Thursday, with Son later saying that he was hopeful that the defeat would be a learning experience for his side.

"It would have been awkward if people had congratulated me on my 100th match after a loss," added the 29-year-old.

Son enjoyed a prolific season with Tottenham Hotspur, scoring 24 times and providing 10 assists across all competitions as Antonio Conte's team secured Champions League qualification.

Asked if he ever thought he would reach 100 caps, Son said: "Time has flown by, and I've barely had time to reflect. I've dreamed about maybe reaching the century mark one day, but mostly, I've been trying not to get too ahead of myself."

Korea will host Paraguay in a friendly on Friday before taking on Egypt four days later.



Al-Hilal Captain Al-Dawsari Out of Club World Cup with Hamstring Injury

Pachuca's Mexican midfielder #28 Elias Montiel and Al Hilal's Saudi midfielder #16 Nasser Al-Dawsari fight for the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group H football match between Saudi's Al-Hilal and Mexico's Pachuca at the Geodis Park stadium in Nashville on June 26, 2025. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
Pachuca's Mexican midfielder #28 Elias Montiel and Al Hilal's Saudi midfielder #16 Nasser Al-Dawsari fight for the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group H football match between Saudi's Al-Hilal and Mexico's Pachuca at the Geodis Park stadium in Nashville on June 26, 2025. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
TT
20

Al-Hilal Captain Al-Dawsari Out of Club World Cup with Hamstring Injury

Pachuca's Mexican midfielder #28 Elias Montiel and Al Hilal's Saudi midfielder #16 Nasser Al-Dawsari fight for the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group H football match between Saudi's Al-Hilal and Mexico's Pachuca at the Geodis Park stadium in Nashville on June 26, 2025. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
Pachuca's Mexican midfielder #28 Elias Montiel and Al Hilal's Saudi midfielder #16 Nasser Al-Dawsari fight for the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group H football match between Saudi's Al-Hilal and Mexico's Pachuca at the Geodis Park stadium in Nashville on June 26, 2025. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)

Al-Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari will miss the remainder of the Club World Cup with a hamstring injury, the Saudi club said on Saturday.

"Medical tests have confirmed that Salem Al-Dawsari has suffered from a hamstring injury. He will be undergoing a treatment and rehabilitation program that will last between four to six weeks," Al-Hilal said in a statement via X.

This means Al-Dawsari will miss Monday's round of 16 clash against Manchester City.

Al-Dawsari played a pivotal role in Al-Hilal's campaign in the Club World Cup, after scoring the opening goal in the team's 2-0 victory over Pachuca on Friday in the third round of the group stage.

The win against Pachuca secured the four-times Asian champions qualification for the last 16 after they finished second in Group H behind Real Madrid.