Son Heung-min Faces Former Coach Otto Addo in Korea vs. Ghana Friendly
Tomorrow, South Korea will take on Ghana in a highly anticipated friendly at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, and all eyes are on captain Son Heung-min. This match carries a special personal storyline: Son will face Otto Addo, his former youth coach from Germany, who is now leading Ghana. Their history goes back to 2009, when a 17-year-old Son trained under Addo at Hamburger SV’s youth academy. Their paths crossed again during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where Addo’s Ghana triumphed 3-2 over Son’s Korea in the group stage.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the match, Son reflected on the significant role Addo played in shaping his early career. “Coach Addo offered me tremendous help in my development as a football player,” Son said, recalling the guidance and support he received during those formative years. Despite the nostalgia, he was clear about his focus for Tuesday’s game. “Once the match kicks off, it’s all about the team. Coach Addo will try to win for Ghana, and I will do the same for Korea. That’s the nature of this competitive world.”
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Son emphasized the importance of ending the year on a positive note. While the 2022 World Cup defeat is part of their shared history, he made it clear that revenge is not the main motivation. Instead, the team is focused on preparation for the next World Cup and gaining valuable experience against a strong African side. “We can meet Ghana again at the World Cup. They’ve been one of the best teams in Africa, so playing against them is a great learning opportunity, especially for our younger players who haven’t faced Ghana before,” he explained.
When asked about giving advice to younger teammates, Son highlighted Ghana’s speed and individual talent as key factors to watch. He also praised the experience many young Korean players bring from Europe’s top competitions. “We have players who have won the UEFA Champions League and competed for trophies in major European leagues. That experience will be invaluable as we get ready for the World Cup,” he said.
Despite acknowledging areas for improvement, Son expressed confidence in the team’s abilities. He highlighted the unique qualities and self-assuredness of his teammates, noting that these traits will help Korea as they continue to prepare for future challenges. As the friendly kicks off, all attention will be on the reunion between Son Heung-min and Otto Addo, but ultimately, the focus will remain firmly on the competition and on securing a victory to close out the year.
The stage is set for an emotional and competitive match, blending personal history with national pride, and Korea will be hoping their captain can lead them to a memorable win against a formidable Ghanaian side.
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