Son Heung-min said "winning never gets old" after South Korea got their troubled World Cup qualifying campaign up and running with a 3-1 away victory over Oman.
That's a wrap in the AFC... 🌏🎬#FIFAWorldCup | #WeAre26
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) September 10, 2024
The skipper scored late in the second half in Muscat to help give the Koreans their first win of the third Asian qualifying round, after starting with a disappointing home goalless draw with Palestine last week.
FT | 🇴🇲 Oman 1️⃣-3️⃣ Korea Republic 🇰🇷
— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) September 10, 2024
Son Heung-min and Joo Min-kyu seals the win with goals in added time, giving Korea Republic their first victory in the #AsianQualifiers Third Round! 🌟#AsianQualifiers | #OMAvKOR pic.twitter.com/gVlIbnsaln
South Korea have endured a difficult week, with fans jeering new coach Hong Myung-bo before the Palestine stalemate and defender Kim Min-jae confronting supporters after the game.
Tottenham striker Son praised his teammates for sticking together.
"Winning never gets old," Son told reporters in Muscat.
"And to keep winning, everyone has to sacrifice and work hard.
"And I think everyone did their part today, and that's why we were able to come away with such a good result," he added.
South Korea opened the scoring when Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan pounced in the 10th minute, before Jung Seung-hyun's own goal pegged them back on the stroke of halftime.
A clinical finish from the captain Son Heung-min — leading Korea Republic with style and precision in the #AsianQualifiers! 🔥🙌#OMAvKOR pic.twitter.com/YPgD3ggqUP
— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) September 10, 2024
Son put South Korea back in front in the 82nd minute with a cracker before Joo Min-kyu added a third goal deep into injury time.
"We'll try to play the best match of our lives every time out," said Son.
"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."
South Korea's next game is on October 10 away to Jordan, who beat them in the Asian Cup semifinals at the start of the year.
The Koreans then face Iraq at home five days later.
The top two teams from each group are guaranteed a place at the 2026 World Cup, with the third and fourth-placed sides going into a further round of qualifying.
"We have eight matches to go and that means we have eight more opportunities to play our best," said Son.
"If we can play with confidence like we did today, I believe we will be in good shape."