https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/508537/feed The latest news on Son Heung-min, South Korean professional footballer, including sporting news and updates. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse South Korea’s football association has told fans to stop “excessive personal attacks”, warning of the “psychological burden” they could inflict on national team players in the crosshairs since their World Cup flop. Hong Myung-bo quit as coach after the team failed to advance past the group stage in North America, and Spanish interim manager Robert Moreno is awaiting word on a possible extension. With the Asian Cup scheduled to take place in January in Saudi Arabia, the national side are engulfed... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3370831/south-korean-fa-condemns-personal-attacks-criticism-players-attempt-sow-discord?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3370831/south-korean-fa-condemns-personal-attacks-criticism-players-attempt-sow-discord?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:00:13 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport What was meant to be a few glorious moments could spark policy reform in South Korea after post-match comments from a couple of gold-medal-winning footballers triggered heated debate. South Korea beat hosts Japan 1-0 at the Toyota Stadium to win their fourth straight – and seventh overall – men’s football title at the Asian Games, leading to 20 of the 23-strong squad earning exemptions from military service. While the exemption was not an exclusive perk for the country’s footballers but for all... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3369707/south-korean-asian-games-footballers-joy-over-national-service-exemptions-raises-ire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3369707/south-korean-asian-games-footballers-joy-over-national-service-exemptions-raises-ire?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Oct 2026 13:00:16 +0000 David D. Lee David D. Lee Yoon Jin-woo had never gone to Seoul World Cup Stadium to watch FC Seoul, the city’s team and the club that calls South Korean football’s symbolic home its own. But on Sunday night, he made the pilgrimage from the suburbs of Gimpo to see Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, two European clubs whose pull in South Korea rivals, and often overwhelms, interest in the domestic game. The 21-year-old and his friends were among 50,000 fans who filled the stadium with City’s light blue and Atletico’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3363567/why-are-south-korean-football-fans-choosing-european-clubs-over-k-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3363567/why-are-south-korean-football-fans-choosing-european-clubs-over-k-league?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Aug 2026 02:30:09 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Police raided South Korea’s football association on Thursday as part of an investigation into the appointment of the coach in charge during their dismal World Cup campaign. Officers conducted “search and seizure operations” at the Korea Football Association (KFA) headquarters, looking into allegations of “obstruction of business” in the recruitment of former coach Hong Myung-bo, a police spokesman said. The 57-year-old Hong resigned in June after South Korea were knocked out at the group stage... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3363145/police-raid-south-korea-fa-investigation-world-cup-coach-appointment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3363145/police-raid-south-korea-fa-investigation-world-cup-coach-appointment?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Aug 2026 06:43:16 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara With a 20-year-old grudge against the Italian football team, Waseem Razeek has shed no tears over their absence from this summer’s World Cup. He “really cried” after his dream assignment as a ball boy for the 2006 final turned sour. A fanatical France supporter, despite growing up in Germany, Razeek saw his heroes beaten on penalties by Italy in Berlin. Transfixed on the ball all night, he missed the extra-time headbutt that Zinedine Zidane landed on Marco Materazzi. “I didn’t know he’d done... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360172/world-cup-final-tears-and-trials-son-heung-min-meet-sri-lanka-star-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360172/world-cup-final-tears-and-trials-son-heung-min-meet-sri-lanka-star-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Jul 2026 02:00:14 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. US touts regional ‘balance’ in missile sale to Singapore. What does it mean? Washington has recently approved a proposed US$22.3 million sale of additional Hellfire missiles to Singapore, with the US State Department declaring that the transfer and associated arms... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/article/3359656/thai-beer-heir-opens-philippine-ubes-purple-gold-rush-7-asia-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/article/3359656/thai-beer-heir-opens-philippine-ubes-purple-gold-rush-7-asia-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Jul 2026 04:30:06 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport South Korea football chief Chung Mong-gyu stepped down on Monday, a week after the country prematurely ended their Fifa World Cup journey by failing to reach the knockout stage as one of the eight best third-placed teams. His departure followed harsh criticism from the country’s president, Lee Jae-myung, and the resignation of head coach Hong Myung-bo last week, after South Korea managed only three points in their group. The team started with a 2-1 win in their opening match against the Czech... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359603/south-korea-football-chief-resigns-amid-fallout-group-stage-exit-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359603/south-korea-football-chief-resigns-amid-fallout-group-stage-exit-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Jul 2026 13:00:05 +0000 David D. Lee David D. Lee When South Korea’s national football team returned home on Tuesday after their shock group-stage exit from the 2026 World Cup tournament, the fury of fans was not targeted at captain Son Heung-min or other players. It was aimed at head coach Hong Myung-bo, who announced his resignation during a press conference in Guadalajara, Mexico – the tournament’s co-host – on June 28. South Korea lost 1-0 to Mexico and South Africa after opening their World Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over the Czech... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3359389/south-koreas-world-cup-loss-spurs-anger-over-cartel-elites-favouritism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3359389/south-koreas-world-cup-loss-spurs-anger-over-cartel-elites-favouritism?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Jul 2026 02:00:16 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk South Korea’s World Cup squad is set to be greeted on arrival by heightened police security rather than the usual airport welcome ceremony, as fury over head coach Hong Myung-bo’s failed campaign spills into online death threats, viral restaurant bans and renewed calls for sweeping changes inside the country’s football establishment. Hong and eight players, including Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan, Hwang In-beom and Lee Kang-in, were due to arrive at Incheon International Airport on Tuesday morning... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3358779/south-koreas-world-cup-early-exit-sparks-fury-death-threats-restaurant-bans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3358779/south-koreas-world-cup-early-exit-sparks-fury-death-threats-restaurant-bans?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Jun 2026 11:16:59 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara As sorrowful South Koreans spoke to journalists after their dispiriting 1-0 defeat by South Africa in Monterrey on Wednesday, their victorious opponents began to file past, full of song and joy. Bumped by a member of the South African staff, a bristling Hwang In-beom told the unwitting aggressor to “show some f****** respect”. Briefly, it appeared that a scrap would ensue. If only South Korea had shown the same combativity on the field. Chosen for doping control, it was more than two hours... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358475/fifa-world-cup-sorrowful-south-korea-erect-mexico-wall-steel-after-dispiriting-display?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358475/fifa-world-cup-sorrowful-south-korea-erect-mexico-wall-steel-after-dispiriting-display?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Jun 2026 11:00:07 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara South Korea’s crumbling World Cup campaign has been left dangling by a thread following a 1-0 defeat by South Africa, on a night when coach Hong Myung-bo axed Son Heung-min from his starting line-up. It had appeared that Hong’s team were limping towards a last-32 meeting with Canada in Los Angeles, home to more than 300,000 Koreans, when they survived multiple South African opportunities to remain deadlocked beyond the hour mark. But energetic winger Thapelo Maseko, the most dangerous player on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358278/fifa-world-cup-son-heung-min-axed-south-koreas-campaign-hits-new-low?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358278/fifa-world-cup-son-heung-min-axed-south-koreas-campaign-hits-new-low?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Jun 2026 03:51:42 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Son Heung-min must have thought he was about to shush the inhospitable Guadalajara Stadium and quieten the noises about his powers being on the wane following a recent series of ineffective performances. Lifting the ball over Raul Rangel in the Mexico goal after 16 minutes, Son was poised to celebrate his first World Cup goal since 2018, only for defender Edson Alvarez to perform a superb acrobatic overhead clearance off the line. Had the ball gone in, a belated linesman’s flag would have ruled... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3357644/fifa-world-cup-son-heung-min-draws-blank-mexico-overcome-south-korea-reach-last-32?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3357644/fifa-world-cup-son-heung-min-draws-blank-mexico-overcome-south-korea-reach-last-32?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Jun 2026 03:12:12 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press South Korea’s preparations for Thursday’s World Cup match against Mexico have been overshadowed by a rift between the players and the country’s media following disparaging comments about captain Son Heung-min. The spat reportedly led to the resignation of one of the team’s media officers on Tuesday. The national team has yet to confirm the resignation, which has been reported by some of the media covering the South Korean squad in Guadalajara. Access for the media had apparently been cut off... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3357358/south-korea-players-world-cup-media-ban-after-son-criticism-sparks-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3357358/south-korea-players-world-cup-media-ban-after-son-criticism-sparks-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:01:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo said his team ⁠had followed his prematch instructions to the letter after they staged a 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic in their World Cup Group ‌A opener on Thursday. Czech Republic coach Miroslav Koubek, meanwhile, praised his players ⁠for their effort ⁠but said the better team won and his side needed to add more bite to the attack to stay in the tournament. After falling behind to a second-half header from Ladislav Krejci, the Koreans rallied... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3356905/fifa-world-cup-korean-coach-hails-team-unity-after-victory-czech-boss-says-better-side-won?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3356905/fifa-world-cup-korean-coach-hails-team-unity-after-victory-czech-boss-says-better-side-won?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:00:06 +0000 Reuters,Associated Press Reuters,Associated Press South Korea rallied from a goal down to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 and make a winning start to their World Cup Group A campaign, much to the delight ‌of their fans and the sizeable local Mexican support they enjoyed in a festive Guadalajara on Thursday. The Koreans joined Mexico on three points at the top of the pool after the co-hosts defeated nine-man South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener in Mexico City. Ladislav Krejci put the Czechs ahead with a fine header as the European side... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3356847/hwang-beom-stars-south-korea-snatch-2-1-comeback-win-over-czechia-world-cup-opener?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3356847/hwang-beom-stars-south-korea-snatch-2-1-comeback-win-over-czechia-world-cup-opener?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Jun 2026 04:29:50 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport What a difference 39 years, 355 days and 23 hours makes. The World Cup returns to Mexico for the first time since 1986, and it was nearly 40 years ago to the day that El Tri ran out in front of their own fans dreaming of glory. Sadly, they ended up on the wrong end of a result against a country that no longer exists and have not made it back to the last eight since. That’s all in the past though, and on Thursday – or 3am on Friday in Hong Kong – they have the honour of getting the 2026... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3356671/shakira-circle-life-and-early-starts-5-things-know-ahead-world-cup-opener?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3356671/shakira-circle-life-and-early-starts-5-things-know-ahead-world-cup-opener?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:26 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Son Heung-min and South Korea head to North America with a sense of foreboding threatening to envelop them, for what will surely be their talisman’s last World Cup. The 33-year-old skipper has faced growing questions about his faltering form and international future while coach Hong Myung-bo is deeply unpopular with fans. Pre-World Cup friendlies only added to the sense of disgruntlement, thrashed 4-0 by the Ivory Coast and beaten 1-0 by Austria. Afterwards, Hong was moved to defend Son, who... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3354779/son-heung-min-says-he-still-form-clouds-hang-over-south-koreas-world-cup-hopes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3354779/son-heung-min-says-he-still-form-clouds-hang-over-south-koreas-world-cup-hopes?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2026 14:00:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A woman who blackmailed South Korean football superstar Son Heung-min was handed a four-year jail sentence on Monday, Yonhap News TV reported. “The Seoul Central District Court gave a four-year term for the defendant surnamed Yang, who is in her 20s, charged with blackmailing,” the broadcaster said. Another defendant, a man identified as Yong, was given a two-year term for attempted blackmail, Yonhap said. The two have been in custody since May. Yang was accused of extorting 300 million won... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3335576/woman-who-blackmailed-south-korean-football-star-son-heung-min-jailed-reports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3335576/woman-who-blackmailed-south-korean-football-star-son-heung-min-jailed-reports?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 06:35:00 +0000 Tom Bell Tom Bell Nine Asian and Pacific nations discovered their 2026 Fifa World Cup opponents when the tournament draw took place in Washington on Friday, while the Saudi-based Cristiano Ronaldo learned he could share a last dance of sorts with Lionel Messi. Japan, Asia’s highest-ranked team at world No 18, are expected to trouble the seeded Netherlands at the finals next June and July in the United States, Canada and Mexico. But the theoretically weaker sides joining them in Group F are Tunisia, who qualified... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3335450/fifa-world-cup-draw-sets-ronaldo-v-messi-japan-set-shared-goal-winning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3335450/fifa-world-cup-draw-sets-ronaldo-v-messi-japan-set-shared-goal-winning?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Dec 2025 07:50:50 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Son Heung-min has been named Best Footballer in Asia for 2025 to claim the crown for a remarkable 10th time. The South Korean beat his compatriot Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain into second place, with Al-Nassr’s Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in third. The award was established in 2013 and is open to players from Asia and those who ply their trade on the continent. A panel of 64 Asian football experts voted in the latest edition, which considered performances from August 16 last year... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3328763/son-heung-min-beats-cristiano-ronaldo-win-asian-award?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3328763/son-heung-min-beats-cristiano-ronaldo-win-asian-award?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 05:39:58 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse South Korea captain Son Heung-min is set to break his country’s record for most appearances for the men’s national team when they host Brazil on Friday. The Los Angeles FC striker is poised to win his 137th cap in the glamour friendly in Seoul, which acts as a build-up towards the World Cup in North America next year. South Korea and Brazil have both qualified for the 2026 finals, for what will be the 33-year-old Son’s fourth World Cup. Former Tottenham skipper Son, who moved to Major League... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3328318/son-heung-min-set-make-south-korean-history-glamour-brazil-friendly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3328318/son-heung-min-set-make-south-korean-history-glamour-brazil-friendly?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2025 05:41:10 +0000 Agencies Agencies South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo on Monday called up former German youth international Jens Castrop for next month’s friendlies against World Cup co-hosts the United States and Mexico – the first time a foreign-born, mixed-heritage player has been included in the men’s national squad. Hong named the Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder in his 26-man squad as the Koreans begin preparations for next year’s World Cup. The 22-year-old Castrop, who was born to a German father and a South Korean mother,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3323095/south-korea-select-first-mens-player-mixed-heritage-pre-world-cup-friendlies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3323095/south-korea-select-first-mens-player-mixed-heritage-pre-world-cup-friendlies?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 13:30:11 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Son Heung-min drew a foul 20 minutes into his Major League Soccer debut on Saturday, to earn Los Angeles FC a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire. His side trailing to 2-1, the South Korea captain was fouled in the box by Chicago’s Carlos Teran – who had scored the game’s first goal – in the 77th minute, and the referee eventually pointed to the spot after a lengthy VAR review. Denis Bouanga, who had also come on as a substitute, stepped to the spot on 81 minutes and found the top right corner of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3321346/son-heung-min-wins-penalty-lafc-draw-former-tottenham-mans-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3321346/son-heung-min-wins-penalty-lafc-draw-former-tottenham-mans-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Aug 2025 03:33:06 +0000 Reuters,dpa Reuters,dpa Harry Kane has paid tribute to his former Tottenham Hotspur teammate Son Heung-min, describing their partnership as “one of the best” in English Premier League history following the South Korean’s departure from the club this week. Son, who combined with Kane for 47 league goals to form a lethal partnership for the best part of a decade at Spurs, joined Los Angeles FC on a record-breaking Major League Soccer transfer on Wednesday. The 33-year-old South Korea skipper had moved to North London... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3321254/son-heung-min-partnership-was-among-best-premier-league-history-harry-kane-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3321254/son-heung-min-partnership-was-among-best-premier-league-history-harry-kane-says?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Aug 2025 11:00:37 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse South Korea star Son Heung-min said he was “here to win” on Wednesday as Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC welcomed the arrival of the “global icon” from Tottenham. The 33-year-old will reportedly cost a widely reported MLS record US$26 million (HK$204 million) transfer fee after a decade in the Premier League, where he became a household name. “I’m here to win, and I will perform,” he said at an introductory press conference at BMO Stadium that was packed with United States and South Korean... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3321019/son-heung-min-presented-lafc-after-joining-tottenham-not-my-first-choice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3321019/son-heung-min-presented-lafc-after-joining-tottenham-not-my-first-choice?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Aug 2025 02:23:50 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Son Heung-min has already begun causing a stir in the United States after reportedly agreeing a move to Los Angeles FC. The South Korean has not yet officially signed for the Major League Soccer (MLS) club, but LAFC have said a press conference is planned for 2pm local time on Wednesday for a “major announcement” – believed to be the unveiling of Son. The 33-year-old Son announced last week that he was to leave Tottenham Hotspur after a decade at the North London club, during which he scored 173... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3320914/son-heung-min-fever-hits-los-angeles-fans-wait-airport-spot-him-match?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3320914/son-heung-min-fever-hits-los-angeles-fans-wait-airport-spot-him-match?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Aug 2025 06:07:21 +0000 Reuters Reuters Son Heung-min, who is leaving Tottenham Hotspur after 10 seasons, has a deal in place to join Los Angeles FC, according to multiple reports. LAFC will pay a transfer fee of around US$26 million for the Spurs and South Korea captain, GiveMeSport and ESPN reported, which would break the Major League Soccer record of US$22 million that Atlanta United paid to acquire Emmanuel Latte Lath in the last off-season. Son, 33, announced over the weekend that he planned to leave Tottenham, saying he achieved... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3320777/son-heung-min-has-deal-join-los-angeles-tottenham-hotspur-reports-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3320777/son-heung-min-has-deal-join-los-angeles-tottenham-hotspur-reports-say?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Aug 2025 05:59:41 +0000 Tom Bell Tom Bell Son Heung-min made what appeared to be his final appearance for Tottenham Hotspur in Seoul on Sunday evening, bidding a tearful farewell during his club’s pre-season friendly match against Newcastle United. There were emotional scenes when the South Korean forward, captain of both his club and country, was replaced after 64 minutes of the English Premier League clubs’ 1-1 draw at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The 33-year-old, who last Thursday played in Spurs’ 1-0 victory over Arsenal in Hong Kong,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3320607/son-heung-min-makes-tearful-farewell-tottenham-hotspur-seoul?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3320607/son-heung-min-makes-tearful-farewell-tottenham-hotspur-seoul?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Aug 2025 14:20:32 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press After 10 years with Tottenham Hotspur, captain Son Heung-min announced on Saturday that he plans to leave the English Premier League club. At a media conference in Seoul, Son, appearing at times to be holding back tears, said his decision to leave the Spurs was “the most difficult” of his career and said the club was supporting him as he looks to move on to another team. Spurs will face Newcastle United in a pre-season friendly on Sunday in Seoul in what could be the final match of Son’s time at... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3320526/son-heung-min-quit-spurs-calls-it-most-difficult-decision-his-career?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3320526/son-heung-min-quit-spurs-calls-it-most-difficult-decision-his-career?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 Aug 2025 04:49:03 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara A group of Hong Kong artists said they experienced a genuine “wow” moment when they saw their shirt number design on the backs of Son Heung-min and his Tottenham Hotspur teammates. Parents Parents, a Kowloon-based street art collective, were commissioned by the club to create a Hong Kong-themed design for the historic North London derby at Kai Tak Stadium on Thursday. “When I saw the Instagram post of the jersey before the match, I just thought, ‘wow’,” Wong Tin-yau, one of the artists, said. “I... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3320404/hong-kong-artists-wow-moment-son-heung-min-and-spurs-stars-wear-their-design?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3320404/hong-kong-artists-wow-moment-son-heung-min-and-spurs-stars-wear-their-design?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Aug 2025 06:52:51 +0000 Timon Johnson Timon Johnson Hundreds of spectators, largely local and overseas Tottenham Hotspur fans, gathered at the Hung Hom waterfront to enjoy a drone show on Wednesday night, with some arriving as early as the morning in the hopes of seeing their favourite players staying nearby for Hong Kong’s first major football festival. As many fans stood just outside or inside the Kerry Hotel in hopes of attracting their favourite players’ attention, others walked around the premises and along the waterfront to get a prime view... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3320168/dozens-hong-kong-overseas-tottenham-fans-gather-club-themed-drone-show?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3320168/dozens-hong-kong-overseas-tottenham-fans-gather-club-themed-drone-show?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Jul 2025 11:09:43 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Tottenham Hotspur made a relatively low-key entrance to the Hong Kong Football Festival on Tuesday, holding a public training session in front of 9,080 fans at Kai Tak Stadium. While the Europa League winners drew only around one-third of the 27,000 who watched Liverpool practice last Thursday, the Spurs devotees lapped up their 75 minutes of action. Stars including James Maddison, Richarlison and fan favourite Son Heung-min participated in various keep-ball games, before moving through some... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3320040/tottenham-hotspur-make-low-key-hong-kong-football-festival-entrance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3320040/tottenham-hotspur-make-low-key-hong-kong-football-festival-entrance?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Jul 2025 01:30:11 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Tottenham Hotspur’s new head coach Thomas Frank has praised the “great character” of Son Heung-min amid speculation that his South Korean superstar could play his last North London derby in Hong Kong this week. Los Angeles Football Club have emerged as front runners to sign Son, who has only one year left on his Spurs deal. The club are contractually obliged to field the 33-year-old in their friendly with Newcastle United in Seoul on Sunday. Before then, he is expected to feature when Tottenham... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3320036/could-son-heung-min-play-his-last-north-london-derby-spurs-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3320036/could-son-heung-min-play-his-last-north-london-derby-spurs-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jul 2025 15:00:08 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Four of the world’s biggest clubs are taking part in the Hong Kong Football Festival. After Liverpool and AC Milan on Saturday matched the six-goal tally of their epic 2005 Champions League final, eyes are turning to the first-ever North London derby outside the UK. On Thursday, it’s Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur in the city’s new Kai Tak Stadium. The action and atmosphere there during Milan’s 4-2 win over the Reds gave the Londoners plenty to live up to. But who is actually coming to Hong Kong?... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3319468/liverpool-milan-arsenal-tottenham-hong-kong-meet-stars-football-festival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3319468/liverpool-milan-arsenal-tottenham-hong-kong-meet-stars-football-festival?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Jul 2025 23:00:14 +0000 dpa dpa Team captain Son Heung-min hailed Ange Postecoglou as a “Tottenham Hotspur legend” as the club’s supporters’ trust expressed “concern” with another change in manager. Postecoglou ended Spurs’ 17-year wait for silverware with Europa League success over Manchester United in Bilbao on May 21, but it failed to earn the Australian a third season. A club statement on Friday announcing Postecoglou’s departure highlighted a woeful Premier League campaign where Tottenham finished 17th, which is their... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3313495/son-heung-min-hails-sacked-manager-ange-postecoglou-tottenham-hotspur-legend-forever?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3313495/son-heung-min-hails-sacked-manager-ange-postecoglou-tottenham-hotspur-legend-forever?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Jun 2025 10:22:38 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Son Heung-min could leave Tottenham this summer and is a target for clubs in the Saudi Pro League, according to various reports in the British media. Having failed to land No 1 target Bruno Fernandes, Al-Hilal remain in the market for attacking players and would likely be among the front runners to sign the South Korea captain. The Telegraph report Son is of interest to clubs in the Saudi Pro League, while PA suggested Spurs would only allow their skipper to leave should they receive a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3313111/saudi-clubs-reportedly-chasing-son-heung-min-spurs-want-significant-fee-skipper?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3313111/saudi-clubs-reportedly-chasing-son-heung-min-spurs-want-significant-fee-skipper?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Jun 2025 02:45:23 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in – fresh off European trophy wins – aim to lead South Korea to the World Cup, with four remaining automatic spots from Asia up for grabs. Japan and Iran have already sealed their berths at the tournament next year in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. South Korea are guaranteed to join them on Thursday if they avoid defeat against Iraq in Basra. Even if they lose, they will have another opportunity at home to Kuwait next Tuesday in Group B. South Korea and Spurs... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3312886/world-cup-south-korea-near-qualification-uzbekistan-chase-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3312886/world-cup-south-korea-near-qualification-uzbekistan-chase-history?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Jun 2025 12:00:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters South Korea captain Son Heung-min will be used sparingly in their World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and Kuwait as he builds up his match fitness following his return from a foot injury, coach Hong Myung-bo said on Monday. South Korea, who lead Group B by three points, face Iraq in Basra on June 5 before returning home for their final qualifier of the third round against Kuwait five days later. The Koreans will qualify for their 11th successive World Cup if they avoid defeat by Iraq, who last... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3312746/south-korea-take-it-easy-tottenhams-son-world-cup-qualifiers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3312746/south-korea-take-it-easy-tottenhams-son-world-cup-qualifiers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Jun 2025 12:00:09 +0000 dpa dpa Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min admitted he could now be called a “legend” after he achieved his dream of lifting silverware at the club following Europa League success on Wednesday night. Brennan Johnson’s messy 42nd-minute finish proved enough to help Spurs down Premier League rivals Manchester United 1-0 in the final in Bilbao, Spain. It earned Tottenham a first trophy in 17 years and ended Son’s own wait for cup glory after painful defeats in the finals of the Champions League and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3311319/europa-league-final-son-heung-min-happy-be-tottenham-legend-last-after-bilbao-glory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3311319/europa-league-final-son-heung-min-happy-be-tottenham-legend-last-after-bilbao-glory?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 May 2025 04:07:32 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Tottenham Hotspur will play in South Korea as part of their pre-season plans, the club said Monday, having already committed to a friendly against rivals Arsenal in Hong Kong. The London club, who face Manchester United this Wednesday in Bilbao in the Europa League final, are captained by South Korea skipper Son Heung-min. It will be Tottenham’s fifth trip to South Korea and they will play in the 2025 Coupang Play Series. The club said it will release fixture information “in due course”. Ange... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3310890/tottenham-add-south-korea-hong-kong-part-pre-season-plans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3310890/tottenham-add-south-korea-hong-kong-part-pre-season-plans?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 May 2025 07:10:50 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk A woman and a man have been arrested in South Korea for allegedly trying to extort millions of won from Son Heung-min – the national team captain and one of Asia’s most celebrated footballers – by falsely claiming she was pregnant with his child and demanding money to keep the story quiet. The Seoul Gangnam Police Precinct said on Thursday that it was investigating a woman in her twenties for extortion and a man in his forties for attempted extortion, according to the Korea JoongAng Daily... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3310435/son-heung-min-targeted-south-korean-blackmail-plot-over-fake-baby-claim-2-arrested?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3310435/son-heung-min-targeted-south-korean-blackmail-plot-over-fake-baby-claim-2-arrested?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 May 2025 06:07:59 +0000 Japan can become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup this week while Son Heung-min will try to forget his Tottenham woes by firing South Korea to the finals. Asian nations play two rounds of games, on Thursday and Tuesday, as qualifying for the enlarged 48-team tournament in North America approaches the business end in the region. Japan will seal their spot with three qualifying matches to go if, as expected, they beat Bahrain at home in Saitama on Thursday. Even if they stumble, it... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3302793/fifa-world-cup-2026-japan-son-heung-mins-south-korea-could-grab-first-spots-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3302793/fifa-world-cup-2026-japan-son-heung-mins-south-korea-could-grab-first-spots-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Mar 2025 08:47:29 +0000 Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min will remain at the club until 2026 at least after the Premier League club activated a one-year extension in his contract on Tuesday. The 32-year-old, who joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, has scored 169 goals and provided 90 assists in 431 appearances for the club. His current deal was due to expire at the end of this season, but he will remain in North London until the end of the following campaign. “We are delighted to announce that we have... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3293787/english-premier-league-spurs-captain-son-heung-min-extend-stay-until-least-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3293787/english-premier-league-spurs-captain-son-heung-min-extend-stay-until-least-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Jan 2025 15:00:18 +0000 South Korean winger Yang Min-hyeok departed Seoul for London on Monday to join Tottenham Hotspur midseason, where he will link up with fellow international Son Heung-min. Spurs signed Yang from Gangwon FC in July on a contract valid to 2030. The 18-year-old was initially set to join Ange Postecoglou’s side in January but is now arriving a month earlier than planned. Yang conceded he felt anxious before his 14-hour flight but shared his anticipation at the chance to play alongside Tottenham... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3291048/english-premier-league-spurs-bound-yang-min-hyeok-excited-reunion-son-heung-min?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3291048/english-premier-league-spurs-bound-yang-min-hyeok-excited-reunion-son-heung-min?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:00:09 +0000 The father of Spurs star Son Heung-min has been ordered by a South Korean court to pay a fine of three million won (US$2,220) for violating child welfare law at his football school, reports said. Son Woong-jung is a former footballer who wrote a bestselling memoir detailing how he helped his son become one of the best strikers in the English Premier League. But earlier this year the parents of a young player at his football academy said their son was hit by coach Son Heung-yun – the brother of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3282114/tottenham-star-son-heung-mins-father-ordered-pay-fine-over-football-school-abuse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3282114/tottenham-star-son-heung-mins-father-ordered-pay-fine-over-football-school-abuse?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Oct 2024 07:56:09 +0000 Wency Chen Wency Chen Ant International, the global arm of Chinese fintech giant Ant Group, has entered into a three-year strategic partnership with English Premier League (EPL) football club Tottenham Hotspur, as part of the company’s efforts to expand its reach across overseas markets. Singapore-based Ant International, through digital payment solutions provider Alipay+ and merchant payment processing service Antom, will serve as Tottenham Hotspur’s exclusive global payments provider and digital wallet partner, the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3278296/ant-international-teams-epl-club-tottenham-hotspur-global-expansion-drive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3278296/ant-international-teams-epl-club-tottenham-hotspur-global-expansion-drive?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Sep 2024 12:10:30 +0000 Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min’s father and brother have been fined in a child abuse case, South Korean prosecutors said on Friday. Son Woong-jung is a public figure in South Korea and wrote a bestselling memoir detailing how he helped his son become one of the best strikers in the English Premier League. He runs a football academy where his elder son Son Heung-yun coached. The pair and another coach at the academy were accused in April of physically and verbally abusing a 12-year-old... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3276626/spurs-star-son-heung-mins-father-and-brother-fined-over-child-abuse-football-academy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3276626/spurs-star-son-heung-mins-father-and-brother-fined-over-child-abuse-football-academy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Aug 2024 11:03:39 +0000 South Korean culture has taken the world by storm over the past decade with the rise of the entertainment industry. The popularity of K-pop, K-drama and South Korean cinema has made names like Blackpink, Song Hye-kyo and Wi Ha-joon internationally recognised. But entertainment isn’t the only thing the Asian powerhouse is exporting – one of the biggest names to come out of the country is making a splash in the sports realm. Footballer Son Heung-min made history in 2023, becoming the first Asian... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3254678/5-watch-brands-son-heung-mins-winning-collection-uk-premier-league-football-star-loves-rolex-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3254678/5-watch-brands-son-heung-mins-winning-collection-uk-premier-league-football-star-loves-rolex-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Mar 2024 06:00:12 +0000 The team that eats together, stays together, or so the adage suggests. Ping pong diplomacy, meanwhile, passed into legend as having helped to end the Cold War. But try telling that to South Korean footballer Son Heung-min, who reportedly dislocated a finger in an altercation with teammates about table tennis and dining etiquette during the recent AFC Asian Cup. Son was seen with his fingers taped when he returned to club action with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League at the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/article/3251951/son-heung-min-reportedly-dislocated-finger-south-korea-duty-ping-pong-diplomacy-fails?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/article/3251951/son-heung-min-reportedly-dislocated-finger-south-korea-duty-ping-pong-diplomacy-fails?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:59:36 +0000 South Korea coach Juergen Klinsmann will look to captain Son Heung-min and his squad’s Europe-based players to steer the nation to their first Asian Cup title in 64 years when he leads his team into next month’s continental championship in Qatar. Klinsmann has included Tottenham Hotspur’s Son in his 26-man squad as well as Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Hwang Hee-chan in an attempt to win a first title since 1960. “When you go... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3246581/afc-asian-cup-klinsmann-looks-premier-league-pair-son-heung-min-and-hwang-hee-chan-lead-south-koreas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3246581/afc-asian-cup-klinsmann-looks-premier-league-pair-son-heung-min-and-hwang-hee-chan-lead-south-koreas?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Dec 2023 02:00:21 +0000