Abu Dhabi: South Korea will be counting on dependable and talismanic striker Son Heung-min’s dazzling pace and goals to end a 59-year wait to be crowned continental kings as the newly expanded Asian Cup starts Saturday here.
Holders Australia, four-time winners Japan, Carlos Queiroz’s Iran and hosts the UAE are all formidable opponents, but none will relish facing Paulo Bento’s Koreans.
The 2015 runners-up have put their stamp on the international scene in recent times, stunning holders Germany at last year’s World Cup before winning the Asian Games football tournament in September.
Son, 26, was at the heart of both successes and his delight was plain to see at the Asian Games in Indonesia, where victory earned the team an exemption from South Korea’s compulsory, 21-month military service.
The Tottenham Hotspur forward, who has a deadly shot with either foot, has been in scorching form for his club, scoring eight goals in 16 appearances this season. But he will sit out South Korea’s first two games next week under a deal with his club in return for his release for last year’s Asian Games.
Son, the most prolific Asian in Premier League history, will hope South Korea get the job done against the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan before he jets in for their final Group C clash against China January 16.
Boyle ruled out
Sydney: Defending champions Australia were dealt a blow Wednesday with Hibernian striker Martin Boyle ruled of action for an indefinite period with a knee injury. The Scottish-born attacker, a key member of the team after switching allegiances to Australia in November picked up a knock in their 5-0 rout of Oman in a warmup game Sunday and will miss the tournament. “We sent Martin for a scan yesterday and the outcome of that assessment is that he will be out of action for an indefinite period,” said Australia coach Graham Arnold.