The symbol and captain of South Korean football, Son Heung-min achieved a milestone in South Korean football history by marking his 137th international appearance in a friendly against Brazil on October 10, 2025. This remarkable achievement underscores his dedication and consistency. Unfortunately, this historic match ended in a devastating 0-5 defeat for the national team, and after the game, Chinese media outlet Sohu.com criticized Son Heung-min for 'showing no notable performance.' This article seeks to analyze the validity of such criticism from a tactical standpoint, and to what extent blaming just one player's performance overlooks the complex nature of football.
Firstly, the 0-5 loss to Brazil should be viewed as a result of comprehensive tactical issues and a lack of team performance, rather than merely one player's underperformance. As demonstrated by their 1-5 defeat in a friendly match in 2022, Brazil is one of the world's strongest football teams, showcasing a significant gap in individual skills and tactical execution compared to the South Korean team. From a tactical perspective, the South Korean team struggled to effectively counter Brazil's quick transition play, use of individual skills for wing infiltration, and precise central penetrations. The midfield battle was lost, leading to continuous pressure on the defensive line, inevitably causing defensive cracks and subsequent goals.
In this context, the criticism that Son Heung-min showed 'no notable performance' might be understandable statistically. In a game ending 0-5, it is extremely difficult for a forward to produce numerous effective shots or create decisive opportunities. However, it is essential to consider his positioning and role. While often playing as a winger or front-line forward, when the entire team is defensively pressed and struggles in offensive transitions, he tends to become isolated. In the face of strong opposition pressure and efficient defensive tactics, merely possessing the ball and carrying it into attacking zones becomes challenging, making it nearly impossible for even a world-class attacker to register significant attacking points. Though renowned for his ability to penetrate spaces and finish effectively, these strengths require team-level support and tactical design to be harnessed.
What warrants attention in this match is how effectively the manager's tactical adjustments and the organic employment of players functioned against a powerful team like Brazil. Blaming only Son Heung-min disproportionally diverts attention away from the team's tactical failures, individual players' conditions, and inherent issues in bridging the gap with stronger teams. In international matches, mistakes in judgment or organizational cracks can quickly lead to goals, often due to tactical vulnerabilities irrespective of an individual player's intentions.
Son Heung-min serves as the spiritual leader and tactical core of the South Korean national team. His mere presence is a significant burden for opposing defenses and a source of great confidence for his teammates. His record-setting 137th international appearance visibly demonstrates his consistent contributions to the national team over time. It is natural to expect top performances in every match, yet football is a team sport involving 11 players moving organically, where coordinated movement and tactical completeness often have a more profound impact on outcomes against strong teams.
In conclusion, the Chinese media's criticism appears to be a somewhat superficial approach by directing blame on a star player amidst the national team's heavy defeat to a strong opponent. Beyond Son Heung-min's individual performance, the 0-5 loss underscores the necessity for deep consideration of the team's tactical challenges and player management. In the future, the national team must consider strategic approaches for confronting strong teams like Brazil, and how to maximize the synergies of Son Heung-min's exceptional talents for the benefit of the entire team.
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