Son Heung-min calls for better pitch in Seoul after beating Oman in away World Cup qualifier
Son Heung-min of Korea celebrates after scoring against Oman during the teams' Group B match in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualification at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, Sept. 10. Yonhap
Korea captain Son Heung-min demanded better field conditions at the national team's main stadium in Seoul, following his team's 3-1 win over Oman in a World Cup qualifier on what he said was a great pitch in Muscat Tuesday night.
Son was involved in all Korean goals at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, as he netted the go-ahead goal in the 82nd minute and assisted the two other goals that bookended his marker.
The victory came five days after Korea, ranked 23rd, settled for a goalless draw against 96th-ranked Palestine at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
The pitch at the stadium, long known as the mecca of Korean football, was noticeably bumpy and patch. And problems with field conditions aren't new for Seoul World Cup Stadium, which serves as home of the K League 1 club FC Seoul and also hosts national team matches, music concerts and other non-sporting events throughout the year.
Son said after the Palestine match that he and his teammates were not able to play at a high tempo because of the subpar pitch, and added pitch conditions are often better for away matches than for home matches.
That turned out to be the case Tuesday in Muscat.
Son Heung-min of Korea celebrates after scoring against Oman during the teams' Group B match in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualification at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, Sept. 10. Yonhap
"The field was in such excellent shape that we played with confidence," Son said in a televised interview. "I hope conditions at our home stadium (in Seoul) will continue to improve."
As is his custom, Son deflected credit and praised his teammates for their collective effort.
"Winning never gets old. And to keep winning, everyone has to sacrifice and work hard," Son said. "And I think everyone did their part today, and that's why we were able to come away with such a good result."
This was Korea's second Group B match in the third round of the Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. With Iraq, Jordan and Kuwait also in the same group, Korea have eight more matches to go until June next year.
"We'll try to play the best match of our lives every time out," Son said. "Asian teams have made so much progress that as an Asian myself, it makes me proud. It was great to play such a high-quality match, and we'll have to work even harder. Whether we play at home or away, I think every match will be difficult."
Son said Tuesday's victory helped his team move past the disappointing draw from last week.
"We didn't get off to such a great start," Son said. "But after winning this difficult away match, I feel like we've become a better team."
As captain of the team, Son said he tried to help his teammates regroup after the Palestine match.
"I tried to lead by example," Son added. "Some players feel the pressure of being on the national team. Obviously, we should all hold ourselves accountable. But I also told the guys that they don't have to hang their heads because we had played just one match.
"We have eight matches to go and that means we have eight more opportunities to play our best," Son continued. "If we can play with confidence like we did today, I believe we will be in good shape." (Yonhap)