Daejeon: A team-first player throughout his international career, South Korean captain Son Heung-min said Friday he was pleased to have scored against Bolivia for a teammate and a friend who was feted for a recent milestone. Son scored a free kick goal in the 57th minute to help South Korea defeat Bolivia 2-0 in their friendly football match at Daejeon World Cup Stadium in the central city of Daejeon.

According to Yonhap News Agency, it was a prototypical Son free kick, a right-footed curler from outside the left edge of the box. Instead of basking in the glory of his 54th international goal -- now four back of the country's all-time leader, Cha Bum-kun -- Son instead turned the spotlight on midfielder Lee Jae-sung, his fellow 33-year-old. Lee played his 100th international match last month to become the latest South Korean member of the FIFA Century Club, and the Korea Football Association held an on-field ceremony for Lee's accomplishment prior to Friday's kickoff.

"I am really pleased to have scored on this special night when my friend Jae-sung was celebrated," Son said. "I am always happy to help the team in any way I can. When the ball left my foot, I felt it could go in, and luckily, it found the corner."

Son, who now plies his trade for Los Angeles Football Club in Major League Soccer after a decade with Tottenham Hotspur, said arriving in South Korea early and getting some rest helped him get ready for this match. Son was subbed out in the 76th minute for Cho Gue-sung, who then scored the team's second goal a dozen minutes later.

"Obviously, I would have loved to play more, but there are other players on the team and the team is more important than myself," Son said. "I respect the coach's decision. We have another match coming up Tuesday and I hope to be in even better form for that match."

Son was referring to South Korea's friendly against Ghana at Seoul World Cup Stadium. It will be South Korea's final match of 2025. "Playing these tough opponents is a great learning experience for our team," Son said. "Ghana can play physical football and we have to be wary of that. Hopefully, we will deliver a good result for our fans."