Sungmo Lee
@Sungmo_Lee
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Korean Football Journalist. Member of FWA, Author of 5, Translator of 20+ football books. Covered PL, La Liga, UCL. Featured in FIFA, BBC, Goal, the Athletic.
Joined March 2014
I have featured in FIFA World Cup Preview Series to talk about South Korea's 2022 World Cup preparation. The Korean part features Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, Paulo Bento, and myself. It's on air now on ITV (UK broadcaster of WC), I wish this video helps you to enjoy Korea's WC.
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Here's a lovely photo of Son Heung-min and a little story when he was 12 years old. He wanted to get PlayStation so bad but he couldn't get it. So he went to a 4 VS 4 futsal tournament and won the 'Cannon shoot' competition and got the console by himself! . (Photo=Sportsseoul)
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Please share to stop the racism. A Crystal Palace made a racially abusing gesture to Son and Son saw it during the game yesterday. A Chelsea fan did exactly same earlier this season and CFC acted promptly and the fan was banned for that action. These shouldn't happen again.
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Here's @AlasdairGold giving signature to Korean Spurs fans. A fan asked him "Is Spence coming?" . #SpursInSeoul
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Son Heung-min quote after the game (in TV interview). "Honestly, when I heard they (China team and media) were saying they know how to stop me, and they don't care about me, it was not pleasant.". Son scored 2, assisted 1, made all 3 goals for South Korea today VS China. #Son
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Korean Tottenham fans waiting for their team at Incheon Airport! They are loved here, already! . #tottenham #Seoul #tour #sonheungmin
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Alasdair Gold on Son (22nd August) . "I always say this about Son. The moment you start criticizing him, it will end up making you look foolish. I wouldn't bet against him ever. He only needs a trigger to start scoring." . Well, I must say he was quite right, didn't he?
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@AlasdairGold gave 10 out of 10 for his first Korean food 'Dak-Galbi' (spicy stir-fried chicken), which is a famous food in Korea, especially in @Sonny7's hometown. Any Spurs fan visiting Korea, that's what you can go for! . I will keep share info / videos for Spurs' Seoul tour.
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66k tickets for Tottenham's first game in South Korea (vs Team K-league) were sold out in 25 minutes. Welcome to Korea @SpursOfficial and @AlasdairGold it will be very hot in many ways (literally)!
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Breaking : Son Heung-min's Response to Saudi Rumor . "I have many things to do in PL. Money doesn't matter to me now, and the pride of playing football, to play in my favorite league is important. I'll prepare well when I'm back to Spurs." (1)
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Ange on who'll be the captain tomorrow : . "No I don't really put (too much importance on it), Son is our captain. Whoever wears it tomorrow it’s not significant to me. More important thing is, Son has been a outstanding leader for us.". #Ange #Son #Tottenham
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Spurs' statement on Racial abuse on Son. Just for FYI : they responded to my report at 7:30 am Sunday morning and made a club statement at 9:35 am. Considering it's Sunday and after the match-day, this was a quick and strong response from them and I hope they keep do this.
Club Statement - Heung-Min Son.
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And there you go! Korean Barbecue (and some beers) night With @AlasdairGold @Matt_Barlow_DM @TomBarclay_ @CDEccleshare . #SpursInSeoul
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Exclusive : Son Heung-min was voted for The Best Footballer in Asia 2023 (Asian Ballon D'or), as Kim Min-jae ranked 2nd. Details will be followed.
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Son Heung-min on Conte, just now. "I'm very sorry to him. He is a World-class manager, we had great journey together, I thank him a lot. I do not know how other players are thinking about him, but I'm sorry to him." (1, continued)
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I covered Son's journey with Spurs for 5 seasons, including the 1st season (the hardest season for him). When there seem any limits, he always broke those, and now he became a Golden Boot winner (with 0 PK). He is a 'serial limit breaker', and he'll do it again next season!.
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(watch with audio on) This is when Sonny arrived at the Incheon airport, I took it from the 2nd floor to get a better view. You'll be able to feel, who's the KING of Korea, and also he's happy to be there to greet his teammates, and his boss and chairman. A lovely moment. @Sonny7
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Exclusive : Crystal Palace confirmed they have identified the person who racially abused Son in May 2023, and the person received a ban from buying tickets to attending matches. The police investigation result is yet to be known. #sonheungmin
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This 1 stupid fan's racist behavior (Against Son Heung-min) was reported by almost all Korean media today, making fans furious. All racist act harms your own beloved club. Because of this 1 person, the club's image could be damaged by 50 million people's nation. Don't do it.
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Son Heung-min right after the game . "I discussed with the gaffer (Klinsmann) and said I will play the game as I cannot forgive myself if I don't play for Korea national team in front of Korean fans when I already return to Korea." . #Sonheungmin
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Son recently lost his grandfather and had this celebration on this 100th league goal. He said "I had difficult weeks recently, and I lost my grandfather. I want to pay tribute to him by this goal". #Sonheungmin
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Son Heung-min on the news of Salah goal (in the last game, from an interview with Korean media TV Chosun) . "I was feeling pain in my legs and taking a bit of rest. but my teammates told me 'Son, get up! Salah just scored and you may need 1 another!" . @Sonny7 @SpursOfficial
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1. Tottenham won't even consider any offer less than 100M for Son. Son is not just a top player but an icon and symbol for Korea and Asian football. 2. Son loves PL and his life in London and eager to show what he can do next season. It's too early for Son to consider Saudi.
🚨BREAKING | Saudi club Al-Ittihad are set to make an opening bid in the region of €60M + bonuses for Heung-Min Son. 🇰🇷Son has been offered a four-year contract worth €30M-per-season. 🇸🇦There is some optimism that Son player could be persuaded to join. ⚠️However, Tottenham
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This is Son after the game, full of tears. I usually say Son is a 'natural born storyteller'. He plays and lives football like a movie or novel, which in Korean term, . "Even if Shakespeare writes that as a story, he'll be criticized as it's too unrealistic". #SonHeungMin
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Official : Son Heung-min's comment on winning BFA 2022 award ('Asian Ballon d'Or'). "It’s a huge honour to be recognised as the Best Footballer in Asia for 2022. To have this award in my hands again is an incredible feeling and a proud moment for me and my family. (1)"
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Son got the Best Footballer in Asia 2023 trophy (aka, the Asian Ballon d'Or), yesterday, May 16, 2024. Son said "To be recognized as the Best Footballer in Asia for 2023 is a huge honor and an extremely proud moment for me and my family." (1/2). #sonheungmin
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This is the face when Conte was speaking on Emerson Royal "You have to (smile). have a lot of run. you become a winger when we're attacking, and you have to right back we're defending". A lovely moment from Conte, speaks in positive way for his players. #conte #Tottenham
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64,100 fans gathered here in 30+ degree temperature in pouring rain. (Remember, it was sold out in 25 minutes)!
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Korean fans are furious to Anthony Taylor who blew the final whistle without giving the last corner kick to South Korea. On top of that, he also gave the red card to Bento. The manager and players have prepared 4 years for these WC. It shouldn't end like this by a referee.
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Son Heung-min on the interview after arriving in Seoul. "I wish one of my teammates (at Tottenham) to win the World Cup" . #sonheungmin .#Tottenham .#WorldCup2022
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Breaking : Son Heung-min, who recently had Sports Hernia surgery after Tottenham's last game of the season said today. "I thought about this whether I should say this or not, but I suffered all season enduring the pain for the past 8-9 months. I had the surgery as I had to."
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And there you go! 4 UK journalists are about to enjoy Korea's most famous Chicken food (with beer = 치맥)! @AlasdairGold @CDEccleshare @TomBarclay_ @Matt_Barlow_DM
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Davinson Sanchez on Son . "Son is a world-class striker. He contributed a lot to Spurs and all of his teammates at Tottenham think he's world-class." . "He's an important player, he'll recover his form, and will score goals as he did in the past." . #sonheungmin .#sanchez
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Here's Perisic giving his signature on Spurs and Croatia shirts for Korean fans. He kept doing it until someone had to stop him (to move to Tottenham's team bus). #perisic #tottenham #Seoul #tour
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Klopp on Son Heung-min, today. "One of the big mistakes in my life was not signing him (Son). Outstanding, World Class, and One of the best strikers in the world." ."I heard he'll be alright. Maybe need to wear a mask, but even with a mask, he'll be alight." .(On KBS interview)
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Son Heung-min in the first half from the bench, a future coach / manager?.
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Son Heung-min just did RABONA. Today's game is almost like a Sonny show time!.
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Son got a present from a fan and wore it right away and says "it's warm and good!", and then kept using it until he got inside the building. It was today, the last open training of Korea national team of 2023.
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Totteham's captain is the best ever Asian player, and this is a blessing for Spurs. I hope his teammates and their fans around the world to learn by this incident that there are things that are not 'joke' or 'fun' for Asian players and fans. It's not a joke, if it upsets ppl.
Dreadful attempt at a joke from Rodrigo Bentancur involving Son during an interview which is doing the rounds. The Uruguayan has apologised on Instagram below. Utterly stupid thing to say in the first place and has upset lots of people. Not what Son needs from his own team-mates.
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1. Tottenham won't even consider any offer less than 100M for Son. Son is not just a top player but an icon and symbol for Korea and Asian football. 2. Son loves PL and his life in London and eager to show what he can do next season. It's too early for Son to consider Saudi.
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Korea legend Lee Chung-yong on Son. "Son joined Spurs in 2015. He scored his 100th goal in less than 10 years. You can play well 1 or 2 seasons, but to do it for 8 seasons is just amazing.". "I think as he was so great so far, fans want more from him. I'm not worried about him."
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Son Heung-min after South Korea's 0-2 lost to Jordan. "I don't know what to say really. I am so sorry. The players did their best. I'm very sorry that the game is ended like this by mistake" (Continued) . #Asiancup #SouthKorea #Sonheungmin
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There you go Sonny meets up with Kane and Conte. Big hug. * Moura just got a hero welcome as well (of course). ** I will share all videos later!
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@PFA @DeBruyneKev @HKane @Cristiano @MoSalah @VirgilvDijk @ManCity @SpursOfficial @LFC @ManUtd How on earth, and by what logic, can you exclude Son and include Ronaldo there? Son got the Golden boot and helped Spurs to top4 spot, and even if those nominees were decided earlier than the end of the season he had better season than Ronaldo and Spurs were above Man Utd?.
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Breaking : South Korea head coach and former Tottenham star Klinsmann will visit Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and watch Son Heung-min's play and will talk to him at Tottenham VS Bournemouth game. Son scored 2 goals in Klinsmann's first game in charge for Korea. #Sonheungmin
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PL has Black Lives Matter campaign and Son Heung-min participated it all the time, but still gets racial abuse. It's not only black players who are victims of racism in PL. I respect the motive, but it needs a new name and Asian players should be protected from racism as well.
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Celebrating Son's 400th game, sharing my mixed zone photos of him in his 1st season. Actually, this was the hardest time for him in Tottenham or maybe in his entire career. As you see from the photo he was smiling no matter what, and I saw his belief in himself right there.
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Son interview in Korean . "The most grateful thing for me is that we can have the last game with our manager (Paulo Bento), with him on the bench". * Paulo Bento couldn't sit on the bench today after getting a red card, and this could be his last game with South Korea.
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Son and Lee Kang-in met in London and posted their statement. Kang-in apologized for his behavior in the Asian Cup to Son and other teammates and also to fans. Son accepted Kang-in's apology and suggested to all fans to forgive him. The best possible gesture from both of them.
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It's matchday 2 for Tottenham (vs Seville), and @AlasdairGold is giving signatures to his Korean fans! (And yes, that is the queue for Mr. Gold! . #SpursInSeoul
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For all Tottenham fans, this quote is misleading as the context is not involved, so let me share it with you. 1. Son's father said "Son is not a World Class player" in 2018 and the quote is very famous among Korean fans. The father is always very humble just as Son does. (1/3).
Son Heung-min's father:. "He must be able to play a solid role in one of the world's top clubs. That's when he will become a world class player." . "Like I said before, he must do 10 percent better on every front to reach that goal.". - CGTN
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And also, he couldn't play a month in the league because of Asian Cup!.
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Klinsmann on Son playing as free-role, scoring 2 goals VS Colombia, today. "It's natural that Son plays either in the middle or in the flank with the understanding of other forwards. If he could score, I could keep giving him a free role in the attack." . #sonheungmin
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Son Heung-min scored his 40th goal for South Korea today, making him 3rd highest scorer for his country. Only 2 players scored more than him, and they are Cha Bum-kun ('Cha-Bum') 58 goals, Hwang Seon-hong 50 goals. #Sonheungmin
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This was Spurs's 'brutal' pre-season training in Seoul last summer. Just think about how many players were injured so far. Moura was out for 6 months, Rich and Deki was injured early in the season, and it's going worse now. Was it wise to do it when you have WC in the season?
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Moura is leaving Spurs. All fans would remember him for 'Amsterdam', but for me, this pass from Lucas to Son was proof of his class and great team play. This pass helped Son to win the Golden Boot on the last day, and I asked him about that pass. (1) . @LucasMoura7 .#tottenham
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1. About this report from The Sun, KFA admitted it is true that there was the 'bust-up'. 2. However, it is important to remember, the real issue for Korean football now is KFA and Klinsmann, not the players. 3. Don't jump into conclusion about players until we hear from them.
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Son Heung-min departed to UK from Korea this morning KR time. There were hundreds of fans gathered and Son spent 40 minutes to give signatures to most of the fans at the airport. It's never the first time. He truly loves his fans, and be loved by them. #sonheungmin
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Stellini was CLASS on this answer, today. "Those are only speculation, not reality. I know the media need to have gossip, but I'm not here to play this game. I want to speak to the fans. You don't need to follow speculation & gossip. The reality is pitch for us. Only that."
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Son on his Instagram. His Korean words are a bit different with his English words. He wrote in Korean "My mask at the World Cup would be nothing comparing what you have been wearing for the past 2 years". @Sonny7 @SpursOfficial .#sonheungmin
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Tottenham's official Korean supporters club made this to give away on their 1st game VS Team K league. In the back they wrote Tottenham's chant(when the Spurs go marching in) so that all fans can sing along. It's beautiful and great idea from Korean supporters! #SpursInSeoul
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A lovely video between former Tottenham player & Korea head coach Klinsmann and the leader of the official Tottenham Korean supporters club. She (whose name is 'Dabin') brought 2 old Tottenham shirts ('18' and '33') to Klinsmann who happily signed on both of them. #Tottenham
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Before I forget and move on, it was a privilege to cover Tottenham's tour in Japan and Korea. Most of the quotes from my questions to players, manager, legends were in Ali and Sep's pieces, so you could see it from their ones. Best of luck for Ange and Spurs in new season!
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The best possible and most beautiful ending for Moura. More beautiful thing is, Son, who's already substituted directly ran into Moura to celebrate him. It just reminds me of last season's moment when Moura was celebrating with Son and all his teammates. #Moura #sonheungmin
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FYI for Tottenham fans, 2 goal scorer for South Korea VS Ghana today was the same player who scored the first goal for Team K-league against Tottenham last July. His role model is? Harry Kane. (He got Kane's shirt after the game as well) . #ChoGuesung.#Tottenham
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Lee Kang-in admitted that there were 'verbal argument' between him and Son Heung-min and apologized for it on his Instagram story. Until this moment, there are no further official comments from KFA about the issue between players, or about Klinsmann's issue.
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And now #SpursInSeoul came to an end, here is the photo of @AlasdairGold @TomBarclay_ @Matt_Barlow_DM @CDEccleshare enjoying their last supper in Seoul night. It was Korean Beef (한우) and Ali gave 11! out of 10, the highest score he ever gave to all food in Korea!
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Former South Korea captain Ki Sung-yong on current captain Son. "I got in touch with him (after his surgery). He said he wants to play even wearing a mask, showing his strong will." . #sonheungmin.#kisungyong . @Sonny7 @SpursOfficial
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For the fans asking when Son will join up with Tottenham's pre-season training, he will meet up with the squad on their arrival in Seoul this weekend. @Sonny7 @SpursOfficial.
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Just imagine all money and time Tottenham spent on Mourinho, Nuno, Conte, and Paratici. If Spurs invested that on Poch in 2019 or 2018, do you think it would be worse than this?. This whole suffering for the fans could be made from 1 mistake. Sacking Pochettino not backing him.
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I told you guys and I will tell you again. Lee Kang-in is one of the best 3 Korean player right now with Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae. (Lee is only 22 years old) . To let him go for 'free' was one of Valencia's biggest mistake and any team gets him would be the winner.
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Breaking : Seongnam FC owner confirmed South Korean defender #KimJisu is heading to England to join #Brentford. Kim has a nickname of 'the next Kim Min-jae', and was great for South Korea's U-20 campaign, recently. Whether he'll play for the 1st team or to be loaned is unknown
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Son's record for Tottenham and PL by 8th April 2023. 1. 100 League goals. 2. 50 Assists. 3. 7 consecutive seasons he scored 10+ goals in all competitions (since 2016/17) . Best Asian Player award winner for 6 consecutive years since 2017, 8 times in total. #sonheungmin
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Anyone who knows Tottenham and Son would know this is 100% true.
Tottenham have absolutely no intention to sell Son despite rumours with Saudi clubs. It’s not part of the plans — and they’ve not received any concrete bid at this stage. 🚨⚪️🇸🇦 #THFC. Son looks also determined to continue at Tottenham.
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Official! South Korea just won Asian Game, meaning Lee Kang-in and his teammates got exemption from military service!.
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Ange on Son after Asian Cup exit . "Son was very disappointed with Korea’s exit as they haven’t won it in a while and you feel so close in semi-final but he gave everything and was spent by the end of it, spoke to him after and he was keen to come back.".
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Klinsmann on Son after Uruguay game. "Son is one of the best strikers in the world. We need to find a way to maximize his ability. It is important we help him as a team, and we develop together." . Photo = KFA . #sonheungmin #Klinsmann
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Under Conte and Mourinho, the result is everything as they are the experts on 'win now' way of football. Under Poch, it was very different. He had a deep connection with the fans, great at nurturing youth players, there was a clear 'process' shared among the team and the fans.
🎉#HappyBirthday to former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino:. 🏟 Managed: 293 Games.🏅 Champions League Finalist.🥈 Premier League Runner-Up. 🏆"Before I die I want to manage Spurs again and try to win one title with the Club!". #THFC | #COYS.
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[Thread] So, Son's quotes from my 1 to 1 interview with him today, here we go. 5 Questions, 5 answers, featuring Spurs manager, young players a lot. (If you want to watch it on video, link below, even though it's in Korean).
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This is the original video of those quotes on Son Heung-min from his father. In the beginning, he said, "I believe when you are satisfied with yourself, the crisis will come". This is the very essence of what he really meant, encouraging his son to keep trying harder. (1/2)
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So, I asked Ange about Son's position, and then had 1 to 1 interview with Son in 30 minutes of time. My Son quotes are incoming (should I do that 'thread' thinggy?).
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Re : Son's injury concern. It happened yesterday while the players were having Rondo training. Son fell down for a while (around 1 min), and the coaches seemed a bit worried. However, he returned to the training only 2-3 min after that, seemed fine, could finish the training.(1).
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Korea Football Association (KFA) on Son Heung-min's injury. "We will decide whether he could participate the World Cup or not after the outcome of his surgery. We are keep cooperatng with Tottenham medical team on Son's injury". #KFA #sonheungmin .@Sonny7 @SpursOfficial.
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Never call a South Korean player or person 'Kim Jong-un' again, guys. Kim Jong-un is North Korean political leader, and his grand father (Kim Il-sung) was the person who started Korean War which is why Korea is still separated more than 70 years by now. It's not funny at all.
A Serbian football pundit couldn't remember Hwang In-beom's name and said "Kim Jong-un". This video is becoming a hot topic in Serbia as a funny video, but I don't think it's a 'funny' video.
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There were some excellent quotes from Ange on Son and 'ping pong incident' in yesterday's press conference. Sharing some of those here below. "I think it was just Sonny being Sonny, being a leader. I think when you’re a leader, sometimes you get in the firing line." (1) . #Son
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He added, "when I play football, I respect all players, so about those comments on me, as the captain of the team, I think to show what I can do on the pitch was the right way." . #Sonheungmin.
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I've asked 2 questions to Kane. Here are his quotes on himself and Son and (Thread). On his target . "For me it’s just to have another good year, another consistent year. Try and help the team as much as possible, try and score as many goals as I can." . #kane #tottenham
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Son on Eric Dier. "He told me from a month ago 'Golden boot is yours'. At that time I had some gap so thought 'what Golden Boot' but as I got closer, everyone was excited. After that (before the last game) he told me for the whole week 'bring the Golden Boot, it's yours!'"
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Here's Son's photo with the mask, today. Several Korean media covering Son on site wrote "Son looked bright and seemed okay". (Photo credit = Newsis and Yonhap news) . @Sonny7 .#sonheungmin
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Just asked to Kim Sang-sik, Team K-league's manager, who was the most impressive Spurs player tonight. His answer was "Eric Dier"!.
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And another!
Korean fans are just so great or what! . Dragusin must be so happy to see this! . #Tottenham #aia #korea #fanart
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FULL quote from Son on Saudi rumor (with addition). "I have many things to do in PL. Money doesn't matter to me now, and the pride of playing football, to play in my favorite league is important. I want to play more for Tottenham in PL, I'll prepare well when I'm back to Spurs."
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Tottenham have chosen their captain and vice-captain quite well, huh?.
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Kim Jin-su, Korea NT's Left back and close friend of Son, on Son Heung-min. "I spoke with Son this morning. He is a very responsible man and representative of Korean national team. He will not easily give up to play in WC."
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Son on Rich . "As a player, he wants to play, and I understand his frustration. He prepared very hard, and showed a good performance today.". Son on 99th League goal. "I don't think about my record, I only think about team's result. When I try hard, goal will come naturally."
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