Harrison: South Korea's head coach, Hong Myung-bo, recently commended captain Son Heung-min for his leadership during the team's 2-0 triumph against the United States at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. The match saw Son contributing significantly with a goal and an assist before being substituted in the 63rd minute.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Hong had previously speculated about a potential change in captaincy prior to the upcoming FIFA World Cup, but following the victory, he praised Son's performance and leadership on the field. "As our striker and our first line of defense, Son Heung-min did a great job leading the team," Hong stated. He also acknowledged the team's overall performance, emphasizing the players' commitment and effective execution of their game plan.

Son, who had been captaining the national team since 2018, demonstrated his versatility by playing in a forward position rather than his usual winger role. Hong explained that the tactical decision aimed to reduce defensive pressure on Son while leveraging his strengths, which was evident in his goal from Lee Jae-sung's assist.

The match also marked the debut of Jens Castrop, a Korean German midfielder who recently switched his football allegiance to South Korea. Hong expressed his satisfaction with Castrop's performance, noting that he adapted well and could potentially be a valuable asset to the team.