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.



LaLiga Clubs to Help Raise Money for Victims of Spain's Flash Floods

A picture taken on October 31, 2024 shows a road destroyed and flooded fields after flash floods in Utiel, in the region of Valencia, eastern Spain. (Photo by Wafaa ESSALHI / AFP)
A picture taken on October 31, 2024 shows a road destroyed and flooded fields after flash floods in Utiel, in the region of Valencia, eastern Spain. (Photo by Wafaa ESSALHI / AFP)
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LaLiga Clubs to Help Raise Money for Victims of Spain's Flash Floods

A picture taken on October 31, 2024 shows a road destroyed and flooded fields after flash floods in Utiel, in the region of Valencia, eastern Spain. (Photo by Wafaa ESSALHI / AFP)
A picture taken on October 31, 2024 shows a road destroyed and flooded fields after flash floods in Utiel, in the region of Valencia, eastern Spain. (Photo by Wafaa ESSALHI / AFP)

LaLiga and its clubs will help raise funds for the Red Cross to support those affected by the flash floods which have killed at least 158 people in Spain by publicizing a campaign during match broadcasts this weekend and through their social media accounts.
"Spain's professional football joins the condolences and expresses its solidarity with the families of the victims and the missing," LaLiga said in a statement on Thursday.
Real Madrid announced they would also collaborate with the Red Cross and donate one million euros ($1.09 million), The Associated Press reported.
"The Real Madrid Foundation and the Red Cross have today launched a fundraising campaign to support those affected by the storm and the club have decide to support this campaign with a donation of one million euros to help the many families who are in a critical situation and need all our help and solidarity," the Spanish champions said in a statement.
After the Spanish FA postponed seven midweek Cup ties and all games scheduled for Valencia's eastern region this weekend, it asked competition organizers to observe a minute's silence before matches that will be played as a tribute to the victims.
Six postponed Copa del Rey games have been rescheduled for next week, leaving Real Sociedad's match against Jove Espanyol in Alicante as the only tie without a new fixture date.
LaLiga asked the 10 affected clubs in the top two divisions to submit a proposal for new dates before next Tuesday.
Saturday's LaLiga match between Valencia and visitors Real Madrid plus Villarreal's clash with Rayo Vallecano are among the games postponed, as Valencia made the Mestalla stadium available as a drop-off point for donations of food and essential items.