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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)
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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.

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Argentines Flocking to Watch F1 Driver Colapinto at Brazilian GP

Williams's Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto speaks during a press conference at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, also known as Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 31, 2024, ahead of the upcoming Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix next November 3. (AFP)
Williams's Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto speaks during a press conference at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, also known as Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 31, 2024, ahead of the upcoming Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix next November 3. (AFP)
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Argentines Flocking to Watch F1 Driver Colapinto at Brazilian GP

Williams's Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto speaks during a press conference at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, also known as Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 31, 2024, ahead of the upcoming Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix next November 3. (AFP)
Williams's Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto speaks during a press conference at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, also known as Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 31, 2024, ahead of the upcoming Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix next November 3. (AFP)

Thanks to Franco Colapinto, Spanish can be heard all over the Brazilian Grand Prix.

That's because thousands of Argentines have flocked to Interlagos to cheer their newest sports star in Formula 1.

The charismatic Colapinto finished the Mexican GP last weekend in 12th position, out of the points positions. But the 21-year-old Williams driver has earned five points since the Italian GP on Sept. 1, which was five points more than his predecessor Logan Sargeant managed all year.

At least 10,000 Argentines have come to Sao Paulo, according to estimates by tourism agencies. That is one sixth of those expected to attend the Interlagos track this weekend.

Argentine supporters were already in the stands during Friday practice and sprint race qualifying, showing off the national colors on hats, flags and soccer T-shirts in hope of inspiring Colapinto, the only South American on the grid.

"Franco, 46 million Argentinians are with you," read one banner. "Be strong."

Most Argentines have fading memories of watching five-time F1 champion Juan Manuel Fangio (1950-58) or Carlos Reutemann (1972-82) win races. Gastón Mazzacane (2000-01) was the most recent Argentine to drive until Colapinto arrived, and he didn't score a point.

Fashion designer Anna Rosatti, 52, has come to her first F1 grand prix because of Colapinto, and childhood memories of celebrating Argentine success on TV.

"I used to watch Carlos Reutermann with my parents," she said. "Colapinto's story of fighting hard, falling and coming back reminds me of my childhood, of what it is to be Argentine." She was in the Interlagos paddock, carrying three national flags and wearing a cap celebrating Argentina's World Cup soccer title in 2022.

Brazilian fans such as Felipe Santos, 42, are also keen to see Colapinto do well at Interlagos.

"He is funny, but he is also a fighter. We love this here," Santos said. "This is not soccer, no Brazil vs. Argentina. It is racing, and anyone who likes racing likes his style."

Williams team principal James Vowles said on Friday he was speaking to other teams about finding a place for Colapinto next year.

"We are actively working with teams that are interested to try and find the right arrangement that helps Franco, that protects Franco as well, and protects all parties," Vowles said.

Later, in sprint race qualifying, Colapinto knocked out former F1 champion Fernando Alonso en route to 14th place, five behind his Williams teammate Alexander Albon. Still, Colapinto was happy about his prospects and the support of compatriots at Interlagos.

"It was just amazing to see all the support I received here, those travelling fans coming to the race and creating such a joyful atmosphere," Colapinto said. "It was a hard afternoon, but let's see what we can do tomorrow. There's a lot still to happen this weekend."