Son welcomes Lee’s apology after Asian Cup bust-up

By Reuters
February 22, 2024

SEOUL: South Korea captain Son Heung-min has asked fans to forgive team mate Lee Kang-in after the midfielder apologised “sincerely” for his involvement in an altercation between the pair on the eve of their Asian Cup semi-final.

South Korea's midfielder Son Heung-min (number 7) shoots to score his team's second goal during the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between Australia and South Korea on February 2, 2024. — AFP
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Son played against Jordan with the index and middle fingers of his right hand strapped together as the Koreans were stunned 2-0, a result which extended their 64-year wait for a third Asian title and saw coach Juergen Klinsmann fired.

The Korea Football Association later confirmed a British media report that Lee left a team dinner early with some of the younger members of the squad to play table tennis, leading to an argument with Son, who viewed the dinner as a chance for the team to bond before the match.

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