Son Heung-min and South Korea head to North America with a sense of foreboding threatening to envelop them, for what will surely be their talisman’s last World Cup.
The 33-year-old skipper has faced growing questions about his faltering form and international future while coach Hong Myung-bo is deeply unpopular with fans.
Pre-World Cup friendlies only added to the sense of disgruntlement, thrashed 4-0 by the Ivory Coast and beaten 1-0 by Austria.
Afterwards, Hong was moved to defend Son, who left Premier League Tottenham last year for Major League Soccer team Los Angeles FC with his best days seemingly behind him.
“Son Heung-min is the heart of our team and I have never once doubted that,” Hong told reporters.
South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo has been jeered by fans. Photo: AP
South Korea are in Group A alongside the Czech Republic, South Africa and co-hosts Mexico.