Son back in the fold as national team set to line up against Kuwait

Tottenham’s star Son Heung-min is set to rejoin South Korea’s squad for their World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait, bringing experience and influence to the team. South Korea enters Thursday’s match with strong momentum, having secured three consecutive wins under manager Hong Myung-bo.

Son, back after missing October due to injury, offers a versatile edge, able to play both as a winger and as a central playmaker in Hong’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

However, Hong remains cautious about Son’s fitness, underscoring that his recovery status will determine how extensively he is used. Son contributed an assist for Tottenham against Aston Villa on November 3, but he hasn’t scored since their match against West Ham in October.

Hong emphasized the importance of managing Son’s fitness, acknowledging his plan to balance the player’s game time in a way that prevents aggravating his recent injury.

Son’s participation could be limited, but his presence alone boosts South Korea’s prospects. Despite Son’s absence in the last international break, South Korea performed well, defeating Jordan 2-0 and Iraq 3-2 through a unified team effort.

Notably, Stoke City’s Bae Jun-ho effectively covered Son’s position on the left flank, utilizing his agility to unsettle defenses. Bae joins the squad after a solid stint in the English Championship, where he recorded two assists in recent games, and he looks forward to supporting veteran players like Kim Min-jae.

Several European-based midfielders bring recent success to the national team. Mainz’s Lee Jae-sung scored against Borussia Dortmund, Feyenoord’s Hwang In-beom netted against Almere City, and PSG’s Lee Kang-in delivered a double with one assist against Angers.

Although Wolverhampton’s Hwang Hee-chan isn’t available due to injury, this midfield trio brings South Korea a robust attacking option.

The forward lineup features KRC Genk’s Oh Hyeon-gyu, who netted twice in October’s break and added another goal in the Belgian Cup. Machida Zelvia’s Oh Se-hun, fresh from scoring his first national goal in the Iraq qualifier, also rejoined after a goal against FC Tokyo.

Ulsan HD’s Joo Min-kyu, who scored twice since October, adds further firepower to the forward line.

On the defensive side, Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae leads with steadfast performances for both club and country. As a core defender for Bayern, which has conceded just seven goals across ten Bundesliga matches, Kim’s presence provides crucial stability.

Red Star Belgrade fullback Seol Young-woo, recognized for his sharp crosses and a recent Champions League assist against Barcelona, also reinforces the backline.

With former starting goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu out due to an ACL injury, Ulsan’s Jo Hyeon-woo will likely take the spot between the posts. Jo has been a reliable choice in recent qualifiers and will aim to continue his strong form.

Historically, South Korea holds an advantage over Kuwait, with 12 wins, four draws, and eight losses in their 24 encounters. Kuwait, winless in this qualifying round, sits fifth in Group B with three draws and one loss, while South Korea leads the group by three points over Jordan.

As the current frontrunners with 10 points, Korea is well-positioned to secure one of the top two spots in Group B, ensuring a direct path to the 2026 World Cup.

Here’s a snapshot of the Group B standings:

With a win, South Korea can extend their lead and further solidify their position as group leaders. The match against Kuwait will be an important test for Hong’s squad as they aim for a seamless path to the World Cup, showcasing a blend of seasoned experience and fresh talent.

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