Korea's Eurostars looking good ahead of crucial qualifiers

South Korea's national football team head coach Paulo Bento reacts during the World Cup Qualification match against Lebanon at the Suwon World Cup Stadium, Sept. 7. / Yonhap

By John Duerden

South Korea coach Paulo Bento will be praying that he does not get any phone calls from Europe this week. With crucial World Cup qualifiers looming against Syria at home on Oct.7 and then a tricky trip to Tehran five days later, Bento needs his best players fit and healthy.

Many of those are in Europe and with games still to play, the Portuguese boss will not want any injuries. At the moment, all is well on that front. Son Heung-min, who missed the 1-0 win over Lebanon earlier this month with a calf injury, has been back in action for Tottenham Hotspur.

Last week Son came up against Hwang Hee-chan as the Spurs met Wolverhampton Wanderers in the League Cup. Hwang arrived in England from Leipzig in August and has, so far, impressed with the West Midlands club. He came off the bench in the English Premier League debut to score against Watford to help the Wolves get a first win of the season.

In the cup game, Hwang was lively again in a game that finished 2-2. The Spurs triumphed in a penalty shootout. At the end of the game, the two Koreans hugged. If the 25 year-old can achieve half of what Son has done in England then he will have a fine career.

“First of all, Son is a player who represents Korea,” Hwang told Wolverhampton media. “He does well in the Premier League. He is, of course, a role model for every Korean player. My wish is for him to keep performing well in the Premier League and for him to be a success.”

Fans in England have taken to the forward so far.

“I firstly want to thank the fans for giving me such a huge amount of support, and I am glad they shared my happiness when I scored the goal. The moment motivated me even more to perform well and to share it with the fans.

“It was an honor for me to score my first goal on the stage I have dreamt of, since I was little. It was when our team needed a goal, and I am extremely happy and glad that I scored the goal at the right moment.”

Hwang has had plenty of bright moments for Korea without producing consistently. If he arrives home with Son, healthy and full of confidence, that can only be a benefit going into the games with Syria and Iran. After two games of the final round of qualification, Korea hasn't impressed in collecting four points. With only the top two from the six-team group going to the World Cup, there is still a long way to go and much work to be done.

Kim Min-jae has recently gone to Europe and has been settling in well at Fenerbahce, one of the biggest clubs in Turkey. The powerful defender was unavailable for the September games and, especially against Iran's talented attackers, his presence will be welcome.

With striker Hwang Ui-jo looking good in France for Bordeaux, then the outlook is good. If the European players can stay fit and healthy for the next few days, then they should be ready to make a difference as Korea looks to appear at a tenth successive World Cup.