Son Heung-min Washes Away 'Tears From 9 Years Ago' "Thanks to that Experience, I have Grown to this Point"

January 31, 2015. Soccer team captain Son Heung-min (32, Tottenham) lay in tears at Suncorp Stadium in Sydney, Australia, covering his face with both hands.

At that time, Korea failed to lift the trophy after losing 1-2 in the final of the 2015 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup after a fierce battle with Australia in overtime.

23-year-old Son Heung-min said, “We still have a lot to learn as a young player,” and pledged, “I will gain experience and prepare well for the next time.”

Nine years later, on the 3rd, the Korean national team met Australia again in the same tournament. 먹튀검증가이드

They gave up the first goal in the first half of the game, but scored an equalizer in the second half and then scored a comeback goal in overtime to win 2-1.

On this day, Son Heung-min said in an interview after the game, "I was so heartbroken in 2015.

I felt like I had missed a good opportunity, which hurt me more than anyone else.

But those games and those experiences gave me an opportunity to grow as a soccer player "he said.

He continued, "It was a very difficult game.

I am not 100% satisfied with the performance, but it is important that we got the result," and added, "We achieved a good result as a team and advanced to the semifinals.

We will do well in the next game to achieve our final goal."

The game on this day went similar to 9 years ago until the 90th minute of regular time.

In the final at that time, Korea was dragged down after conceding a goal in the 45th minute of the first half, but Son Heung-min's dramatic equalizer in the 46th minute of the second half sent the game into overtime.

In the quarterfinals on this day, Korea conceded a goal at the end of the first half.

He was hit by Craig Goodwin's volley in the 42nd minute of the first half.

It was also the case that Son Heung-min played a decisive role in taking the game to overtime.

In the 49th minute of the second half, Son Heung-min broke through to the left of the goal and received a penalty kick from Lewis Miller.

Korea avoided defeat as Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) made a clean success.

The process was the same, but the results were different. 9 years ago, Korea gave up the winning goal in the first half of overtime.

However, on this day, the winning goal was Korea's, and the solution was Son Heung-min.

In the 14th minute of the first half of extra time, Hwang Hee-chan finished the free kick with a right-foot curled direct shot, giving Korea the victory.

Son Heung-min, who cried out of frustration nine years ago when the final whistle sounded, proudly walked around the field and greeted the fans.

Taegeuk warriors are showing ‘undaunted spirit’.

From the second match against Jordan in the group stage to today's quarterfinals, he scored in extra time in the second half of four games in a row.

In particular, in the round of 16 against Saudi Arabia and the quarterfinals on this day, the team extended the game to extra time with an equalizer in extra time in the second half, eventually advancing to the next level.

The national team, which never loses and turns the game around even when they are outnumbered, is even nicknamed ‘zombie soccer.’

Regarding this, Son Heung-min said, "I think it is the team's ability.

(Repeated dramatic wins) are an opportunity to strengthen the players' mental strength.

Because of games like this, their faith becomes stronger," and "Most people get tired when it goes to overtime."

“But our players are all doing it.

I think being united as one is our biggest advantage,” he said.

He then said, "As a soccer player, I don't think I've ever played in overtime for two games in a row," and "I think the best part of the competition is overcoming it with mental strength."

He emphasized, "It's just an excuse to say that playing for the country is difficult.

Now only four teams remain to fight for one championship trophy.

There is no need for any excuses.

We will move forward with only one goal."

After the reporters' questions were over, Son Heung-min volunteered to say one more thing.

He added, "Players who are always playing are in the spotlight," and added, "I hope that today's players will pay attention to the players who were on the bench and the players who could not enter the field."