Former National Football Player Criticizes Early Substitution of Son Heung-min
An Jung-hwan, a prominent broadcaster and a key figure in South Korea’s 2002 World Cup campaign, has voiced his strong disagreement with criticisms surrounding the early substitution of star player Son Heung-min during a recent World Cup qualifier. The decision by coach Jurgen Klinsmann to replace Son in the second half of the match against Mexico has drawn significant backlash both domestically and internationally.
Match Context and Substitution Controversy
The controversial substitution occurred during the second half of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mexico on the 19th (Korean time). With the team trailing 0-1, Klinsmann opted to bring on Oh Hyun-gyu in place of Son Heung-min in the 12th minute of the second half. This move sparked widespread debate, with many believing the timing was inappropriate and detrimental to the team’s chances.
The criticism extended beyond the general public, with former national team players like Park Ju-ho, Lee Chun-soo, and Lee Keun-ho all expressing their disappointment. Even HotSpot HQ, a specialized media outlet covering Son Heung-min’s club, shared similar sentiments.
An Jung-hwan’s Defense of the Coaching Decision
Speaking on the TikTok show ‘Tikki Tikki Taka Talk Show’ on the 22nd, An Jung-hwan addressed the backlash directly. “People are questioning why Son Heung-min was taken out so early,” he stated. “If Cho Gue-sung’s header had gone in, everyone would have applauded, saying ‘This is it.'”
An Jung-hwan emphasized that such criticisms should not be made so readily. “You shouldn’t just talk like that,” he urged. “That’s the last thing you should do.”
Player Performances and Missed Opportunities
Cho Gue-sung was substituted into the match in the 32nd minute of the second half, replacing Baek Sung-ho. In the 42nd minute, Cho connected with a cross from Um Won-sang with a header, attempting to score, but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Raul Langel. Later, in the additional four minutes of stoppage time, Lee Kang-in’s cross was also met with a header, but it did not result in a goal.
An Jung-hwan’s Stance and Plea for Support
An Jung-hwan further elaborated on his perspective, stating, “While general fans might say that (the substitution was inappropriate), some people are making unnecessary noise about things that don’t make sense.” He clarified his position: “I am on the national team’s side, not Coach Hong’s side. I want the younger players to do well.”
He expressed his strong disapproval of those seeking attention through unfounded criticism. “What I dislike the most is when people try to draw attention with such baseless claims,” he said. “It also hurts the players who have to listen to such remarks.”
Coach Klinsmann’s Explanation
Coach Klinsmann also addressed the ongoing criticism regarding Son Heung-min’s early substitution on the 22nd. He explained that the substitution was intended to create momentum. “The substitution was made to build momentum,” Klinsmann stated. “In the first half, the pressure from the opponent’s defense was severe, and we weren’t able to display the performance I had hoped for.”
He added, “Given that we needed to score, I thought it would be better to have a fresher player on the field.”
