Korean players take part in a training session for the FIFA World Cup at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico, Tuesday (local time). Yonhap
GUADALUPE, Mexico — Captain Son Heung-min will begin Korea's crucial Group A match of the FIFA World Cup on the bench on Wednesday.
Son, who had been Korea's striker in the two previous matches, was held out of the starting lineup for head coach Hong Myung-bo, who inserted Oh Hyeon-gyu into the forward spot in Korea's final group stage match against South Africa at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, northeastern Mexico. The match kicks off at 7 p.m. Wednesday, or 10 a.m. Thursday (Korean time).
Son did not score in either of the two earlier matches and was subbed out during the second half for Oh on both occasions. Korea beat Czechia 2-1 on June 11 and fell to Mexico 1-0 a week later.
Son is a goal away from becoming Korea's all-time World Cup leading scorer with four. He is currently tied with two former players, Ahn Jung-hwan and Park Ji-sung.
