Popular TV analyst sees Son Heung-min as key player vs. Mexico

From The Korea Times

Lee Young-pyo, a FIFA World Cup hero turned analyst, predicted Wednesday that Korea captain Son Heung-min will play a crucial role in the Taegeuk Warriors' upcoming match against Mexico. Lee, who provides commentary for KBS, used data from Korea's 2-1 win over Czechia in their Group A opener last week to build his case. "Son Heung-min had 40 percent of Korea's shot attempts against Czechia," Lee told reporters at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, western Mexico, where the national team trained for Thursday's match against the World Cup co-host. "Son reached 35 kilometers per hour with his top sprint speed, and it was the fifth-best mark in the entire tournament. The top four players were all in their early 20s and Son was the only one in the top five in his 30s." Son, who will turn 34 in July, faced persistent questions about his decline in the weeks leading up to the tournament. He arrived in Mexico not having scored in league play for Los Angeles Football Club this season. Son had some good looks against Czechia but failed to find the back of the net before being subbed out for forward Oh