Son Heung-min, the 'Hidden MVP' Against Czech Republic, Gears Up for Major Milestone

[Anchor]

The South Korean national football team, currently competing in the North and Central America World Cup, spent yesterday, June 14, recharging. Team captain Son Heung-min has been a major topic of conversation on the ground.

Reporter Lee Jung-chan has the story.

[Reporter]

After the match against the Czech Republic, national team captain Son Heung-min remained humble about his performance.

[Son Heung-min/National Team Captain: In-beom, Hyun-gyu, and Seung-gyu all played very well. I didn't really do anything.]

However, Son's true value is reflected in the statistics.

Despite playing only 69 minutes, he recorded 16 direct pressures, ranking second on the team in that category, and led all attackers with 14 penetrations into the space behind the defense.

He reached a top speed of 35.2 km/h (21.9 mph), the fastest of any player on either team, effectively wearing down the opposing defenders.

As the only regret was not scoring a goal, Son is now preparing to "settle the score" against Mexico, a team with which he shares a special history.

He vividly remembers scoring a piercing left-footed goal against Mexico in a friendly match last year, as well as his spectacular curling shot during the Russia World Cup eight years ago.

In particular, thanks to the "Miracle of Kazan" that followed in the match against Germany, Mexico dramatically advanced to the Round of 16, making Son a "hero" in this country.

[Son, hermano, ya eres mexicano. Son, hermano, ya eres mexicano.]

[Nesto/Mexico Football Fan: It means, 'Son, brother, you are now a Mexican.' It's because we advanced to the Round of 16 thanks to Son Heung-min.]

Son, who became a hot topic locally after visiting a taco restaurant with his father during today's rest day, plans to tighten his laces and get back to work starting tomorrow.

Son Heung-min, the hero of Mexican football fans, is dreaming of another historic moment here in Guadalajara.

[Corea, hermano, ya eres mexicano. (Korean brothers, you are now Mexican.)]

(Video reporting: Hwang In-seok, Video editing: So Ji-hye, Graphics: Choi Jae-young)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.