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The Three Lions made little work of Iran in the opener as they claimed a 6-2 victory and are gearing up for the USA. Gareth Southgate’s best-laid plans came to fruition against Team Melli with the only blemish being Harry Kane’s blank.
Although Kane did not get on the scoreboard, he was credited for providing assists for Raheem Sterling and Marich Rashford’s strikes. As it stands, the Tottenham forward is three goals shy of becoming England’s all-time top scorer and Son Heung-min believes he will manage the record in Qatar.
The Three Lions are favourites for the world title and the South Korean attacker believes Captain Kane will win the Golden Boot award. Son also relieved English fans about the England and Tottenham captain’s health.
The forward limped off the pitch against Iran and is in good enough shape to lead their lines again.
“Obviously, we’re good friends and I’ve spoken to him about what’s been going on – but I’ll keep that conversation to myself.
“Of course, I’m hoping he’s okay. He should be at this tournament. He can show everyone he’s one of the best strikers in the world. I wish him all the best and I hope he wins the Golden Boot.”
Deserved goalless draw for Uruguay and South Korea
Everyone loves Son Heung-min 😊 pic.twitter.com/bPbogQbe7a
— GOAL (@goal) November 24, 2022
Interestingly, neither Son nor Kane scored in their side’s opening fixtures. Son’s outing also saw Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Darwin Nunez take the pitch for Uruguay.
None of the Latin American stars also troubled the scorers. In fact, there was not a single shot on target in the Group H affair.
The South Korean captain did not give the statistic much importance and believes it was a just result for both sides. He admitted that the Asian Tigers were second-best during the night but did enough on the pitch to earn a point.
He also reflected on the mask he has been wearing since fracturing his eye socket in a Champions League affair against Marseille:
“I’m not the only one at this tournament wearing a mask. I’m comfortable and pleased I could play with it.
“It was a tough game, the Uruguay guys probably thought they should have won it, but we fought, you could see we were fighting and we probably could have got three points but they are amazing players. But this is a good point.
“Both sides are probably happy with the result. We could say it was a boring 0-0. But it wasn’t boring. It was really intense. Both sides had their chances – as I say, I think it was a fair point.”
Ronaldo the idol, the role model
The Man in the Mask 🎭
Son Heung-min starts for South Korea against Uruguay, 23 days after suffering a fracture around his left eye. pic.twitter.com/ecalvdHK3Z
— i sport (@iPaperSport) November 24, 2022
South Korea face Ghana next before completing their group-stage commitments against Portugal. The Navigators have pole position in their grasp after Cristiano Ronaldo led them to a 3-2 victory over the Black Stars.
Son hailed CR7 as his ‘role model’ but is only thinking about their next game against Ghana.
“He’s still my idol. My role model. That will never change. “But the most important game for us is Ghana which is the next one. For me, personally and us, we need to look to that first.”
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