Son Heung-min (30, Tottenham), who is recovering from a 'facial injury', finally used his head during training three days before the decisive match against Uruguay.
The Korean national soccer team, led by coach Paulo Bento, trained in preparation for the 2022 Qatar World Cup group stage match against Uruguay at the Al Egla Training Center in Doha, Qatar on the 21st local time.
After entering Doha on the 14th, Bentuho, who trained once or twice a day, took a break from training for the first time on the 20th and gave the players a honey-like break.
In front of the Taegeuk warriors who returned from rest, there are only three training sessions left before Uruguay.
As soon as the training started, the athletes were divided into 3 groups and breathlessly digested core training, cycling, and balance training.
'Ace' Son Heung-min also entered the training ground wearing a black face protection mask.
In balance training, paired with Son Jun-ho (Shandong Taishan), they repeatedly performed the motion of kicking a ball thrown by their partner on a bosu ball (balance ball).
Son Heung-min only wore a mask, but like other players, he digested training without hesitation or discomfort.
And Son Heung-min tried 'header'.
It was a scene that had never been shown in previous national team training.
As the ball kicked by Son Jun-ho approached high, Son Heung-min reflexively raised his head.
At the end of his balance training, Son Heung-min asked his teammate to give him the ball and even attempted a few headers.
He now appears to have recovered enough to feel no pain in the injured area, even for light headers.
Bento coach and Son Heung-min had a brief conversation during training.
On this day, Son Heung-min posted a beer ad scene he modeled on Instagram and wrote, "The preparations are over. It's time to pursue the biggest dream."
Bentuho will play Uruguay in the first leg on the 24th at 10pm Korean time at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.
(Photo = Yonhap News)