Son Heung-min and four other South Korean players said Thursday that they had overcome their differences, after reports of sharp internal divisions at the heart of the soccer team.
South Korean football has been floundering since its very disappointing exit from the group stage in the 2026 World Cup, after which unpopular coach Hong Myung-bo resigned.
Following this, reports appeared in local media about a split involving leader Son (34 years old) and some other players, including Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae.
Son and Kim, along with Lee Jae-sung, Hwang In-bum and Hwang Hee-chan, issued a joint statement to the fans apologizing and saying it was time to turn the page after they held talks.
The statement said: “First and foremost, we would like to sincerely apologize to the Korean public and football fans for the concern caused by recent reports related to the national team,” and added: “At our last meeting, we gathered to share our thoughts about the national team openly and honestly.”
He continued: “By listening directly to each other and discussing matters that we did not have sufficient opportunities to address, we were able to better understand each other’s positions.”
They said that in their conversations they discussed what went wrong at the World Cup, admitting that they were still hurting from the experience.
They continued: “Our discussions began with a question about what needs to be changed to ensure that we do not repeat the same mistakes,” and they added: “We now intend to leave the unnecessary controversy behind us and focus on building a stronger national team together.”
Spanish coach Robert Moreno took over temporarily as Hong's successor, and it is believed that his contract will expire this month.
South Korea will play against Saudi Arabia in Qatar on Friday, then another friendly match against Qatar four days later.
Ukrainian Elina Svitolina came back from a set down against Czech Karolina Muchova, winning 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 on Wednesday, strengthening her hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals of the final tournament of the Women's Tennis Association, held in Indian Wells.
Svitolina previously won the final tournament title in 2018, but she missed participating in the event that brings together the season’s elite players since 2019.
Svitolina started the confrontation in a faltering manner against Muchova, who succeeded in breaking her opponent's serve three times during the first set, deciding it in her favor with a score of 6-3.
But the Ukrainian player regained her balance in the second set, and after falling behind 1-2 with both players holding serve, she won five consecutive games to settle the set 6-2, forcing a third set, in which she prevailed with the same result.
Svitolina said after the match: “I was not happy with my performance in the first set. “I did not play at the desired level, but I made some tactical adjustments.”
She added: “I tried to be bolder in my shots, because I was playing according to her style.” She has an amazing versatility in her strokes, whether it's the cut or the serve and the drive towards the net. “I had to get away from that and try to get shorter balls early in the exchange.”
She continued: “I think that helped me be more offensive, because I was very negative in the first set.”
Svitolina explained that she succeeded in exploiting the state of anger that has plagued her since her loss in her opening match in the group stage.
With this victory, Svitolina inflicted the second loss on Mukhova in the group stage, raising her score to one victory versus a loss, preserving her chance to compete for a ticket to qualify for the semi-finals.
The Russian Mira Andreeva, ranked third in the world, swept the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (2) on Wednesday, 6-4, 6-0, to qualify for the semi-finals of the final tournament of the Women’s Professional Players Association (WTA) in Indian Wells, USA, while the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (6) regained her balance with a first victory over the Czech Karolina Muchova.
Andreeva (19 years old) was impressive in defeating the winner of four major titles.
The Russian trailed 1-4 in the first set, but she maintained her calm to win 11 consecutive games and secure her second victory in two matches in an hour and two minutes.
The French Open winner said after qualifying: “I feel like I am able to play two more matches. I am full of energy!”
Andreeva won the first set with a decisive ace on the “T-Line” (the service box line), then she continued her pressure, being aggressive in blocking shots and consistent in her service games.
Sabalenka tried hard to hold on in the second set, saving three break balls at 0-2, including a rocket backhand shot on the line, but Andreeva snatched the double break after an error from the Belarusian, before widening the gap.
“I struggled to adapt to her style and her serve at first,” Andreeva said with a smile. Then I tried to play more aggressively and be stronger with my legs, and it paid off.”
The Russian thus leads the group, while Sabalenka, who failed twice in the final of a major tournament this year, will have to play for her qualification against Svitolina.
