South Korea captain and star forward Son Heung-min posted a lengthy apology to fans on Instagram Monday after his nation was eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup.
South Korea left the World Cup a disappointing 1-2-0 in Group A after losing an all-important final game 1-0 to South Africa. That let South Africa clinch second place in the group, while South Korea were not one of the eight best third-place teams that advanced to the expanded 32-team knockout round. They finished with a negative goal differential of minus-1.
Crucially, head coach Hong Myung-bo chose not to start Son in the South Africa match and received blowback for the decision. Son subbed on after halftime, but he only managed one shot.
Son told South Koreans that “I don’t think a single ‘I’m sorry’ could ever fully express the disappointment and pain our fans are feeling,” according to a translation of the post from Korean.
“Every day, every moment, countless emotions have been crossing my mind. I wanted to make sure I shared at least these thoughts with all of you who have been going through an even harder time than anyone else,” Son wrote.
“… Rather than trying to express everything with words right now, I will do my very best from where I stand to win back the hearts of the people of South Korea and our football fans. I will dedicate my life to football so that I can once again bring you joy. I have never forgotten the promises I made to you. Until the day you call for me again, until the day you need me again, I will pour everything I have into preparing myself to return stronger.”
Son added that he shouldered “an enormous sense of responsibility for not being able to repay the time, support, unwavering encouragement and love you have given us.”
His post came one day after Hong resigned and South Korea president Lee Jae Myung called for his Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to lead an investigation into “the precise circumstances” of the team’s early exit.
“We will swiftly push forward with reforms to sports administration to ensure such a thing never happens again,” Lee said in a statement.
Son, who plays for Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer, asked South Korea fans to send players “support and encouragement” rather than “directing excessive criticism and hurt” their way.
–Field Level Media
