The Spurs fans in the Transfer Tavern have been worrying over the future of Heung-min Son since it became apparent that he may have to go and complete two years of military service if he doesn’t win silverware with South Korea. Now though, according to The Evening Standard, the player will be excused for the start of the season to play for his nation in the Asian Games.
#thfc are set to reluctantly allow Heung-Min Son to miss the start of the new season to play for South Korea in the Asian Games. [Evening Standard] https://t.co/qflLZo52ww
— Hotspur Related (@HotspurRelated) July 3, 2018
After a rocky start to his career in N17, Son has become one of the club’s most important players. The Korean dynamite is two-footed, sharp in front of goal and has pace to burn. It’s for that very reason that the Lilywhites don’t want to lose him for two-years of mandatory military service for the South Korean army. Every able-bodied male must complete two-years of service before their 28th birthday and Son is 25 with time running out.
However, a get out for the winger could be winning a sporting event. The South Korean squad that finished 4th in the World Cup back in 2002 where all granted exemption from doing the service and an Olympic medal or a win in the Asian Games or Asia Cup would also suffice, meaning that letting Son go for a couple of weeks in September could mean they can have him roaring down the wing into the 2020’s, as opposed to seeing him fighting on his country’s front lines.
You can read our local Spurs fans’ verdict on this news here:
https://twitter.com/mattkoo_/status/1014119359185346560
Short term loss for long term gain
— Rachel Martin (@RachelVMartin) 3 July 2018
Anything to get him out of national service
— Nicky (@Marshall89Nicky) July 3, 2018
More good news!
— Woody (@Nickyh_yiddo) July 3, 2018
Fingers crossed they win it eh
— iBeTaff (@TaffieN1) July 3, 2018
japan will play their reserve youth. no way koreans dont win this tourno
— Nodir COYS (@nodirthfc) July 3, 2018
Whilst it’s a pain that Son won’t be around for the start of the season, it’s worth losing him for two weeks to not lose him for two years.
