Tottenham’s Son Heung-min reacts after the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich Town in London, November 10. Reuters-Yonhap

With their long-time captain Son Heung-min back from injury, Korea will be chasing their fourth straight victory in the ongoing World Cup qualifying tournament against Kuwait this week.

Korea, ranked 22 in the world, will visit 135th-ranked Kuwait at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City on Thursday at 5pm local time or in Seoul at 11pm the same evening. .

It will be the fifth match in Group B for both countries in the third round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Korea leads the group with 10 points from three wins and a draw, while Kuwait is fifth out of six countries with three points from three draws and a loss.

Korea opened the third round with a goalless draw against Palestine in Seoul on September 5, but has since defeated Oman, Jordan and Iraq in succession by a combined score of 8–3.

The last two of those victories came in October without the services of Son, captain of both Korea and Tottenham Hotspur. The 32-year-old was initially called up to the national team, but was dropped due to a hamstring injury.

Son suffered the injury during a UEFA Europa League match on September 26. He returned to action on 19 October in a Premier League match against West Ham United, scoring a goal and being involved in an opponent’s own goal. But Son missed the next two Spurs games due to ongoing problems, returning against Aston Villa on November 3.

Son was subbed off in the 56th minute, shortly after scoring a goal, and was visibly angry at the decision by head coach Ange Postecoglou, who later explained that the plan had always been to keep Son’s minutes under 60.

When Hong announced his 26-man squad on November 4, he said he would monitor Son’s minutes for Spurs in their two matches before the player reports to the national team. Hong also emphasized that he would prioritize Son’s health.

Son only played the first half of Tottenham’s 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray in the Europa League last Thursday and played the full match for the first time since his return against Ipswich Town on Sunday.

Ahead of training in Kuwait City on Monday, Hong reiterated that Son’s long-term health was of paramount importance to the national team.

“Right now I have absolutely no plans to push him hard,” Hong told reporters at the Abdullah Al-Khalifa Stadium. “I will think of ways to use him efficiently. Once he joins the team, I will sit down with him and discuss his playing time. It is very important for us to have a healthy version of Son Heung-min to see.”

In a recent interview with ESPN, Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou said he was hopeful the Premier League club and South Korea could work together to optimize Son’s performance for both sides.

“You would like to think there is a concerted approach, that they look at what he has been through in recent times, both for us and for the national team,” the coach said. “We want a healthy Sonny, someone who feels good physically so he can contribute. I think within that kind of context. I’m sure we’ll both get a positive result.”

Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the Korea national football team, watches his players during training at Abdullah Al-Khalifa Stadium in Kuwait City, November 12. Yonhap

Hong said Tottenham had not contacted the national team about Son, but added he agreed with Postecoglou.

“Coach Postecoglou must keep an eye on Son, because he is also an important player for Tottenham,” said Hong. “As important as the results of the national team are, it is the right choice for us to send players back to their clubs in good health.”

Even if Son is limited this week, Korea should have little trouble getting past Kuwait, who have the biggest goal difference in Group B at -4, with three goals scored and seven goals conceded.

In Son’s absence for the past two matches, Stoke City midfielder Bae Jun-ho stepped up to the left flank and showed off his playmaking ability with two assists and a series of dangerous forays into the attacking third.

And Bae isn’t the only 21-year-old in the team this time as Hong, in his continued search for young talent to take the country into the future, selected Hannover 96 midfielder Lee Hyun-ju.

Lee has played in four matches for the under-23 national team but has never dressed for the senior team. Hong had high praise for Lee last week, saying the midfielder’s ability to play in tight spaces makes him unique among the current group of players.

Despite his team’s clear advantage in overall quality, Hong said Korea cannot afford to let its guard down against Kuwait.

“In the past we have had problems in games that we should have won easily,” the coach said. “We don’t have much time to train as a full squad for the match in Kuwait, so we will have to make sure we are fully prepared.” (Yonhap)