S Korea Coach Hong backs Captain Son

South Korea Coach Hong Myung-bo has dismissed mounting concerns over Captain Son Heung-min’s form, insisting the veteran striker remains “the heart” of the team.

Son, South Korea’s most-capped player and second-highest goalscorer, missed a few chances in a 1-0 defeat by Austria on Tuesday, with his performances under the microscope in the build-up to this year’s World Cup.

The 33-year-old began South Korea’s 4-0 thrashing by Ivory Coast last week on the bench, with Hong explaining that was due to illness.

“Son Heung-min is the heart of our team, and I have never once doubted that,” Hong told reporters.

“I tried to monitor his minutes because he was battling a cold when he first reported to camp.

As far as I am concerned, Son Heung-min has been doing a superb job as captain and one of the veteran players.”

Son, who is yet to score for his club Los Angeles FC in the MLS this season, this week hit back at suggestions that there had been a dip in the level of his performances.

“When the time comes for me to leave the national team, then I will do it on my own.

If I can no longer play at a high level, then I shouldn’t be on the national team,” he told reporters.