{"id":1456708,"date":"2026-06-11T17:17:19","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T16:17:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1456708"},"modified":"2026-06-11T19:54:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T18:54:07","slug":"tactical-analysis-son-heung-min-south-korea-czech-republic-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-son-heung-min-south-korea-czech-republic-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Son Heung-min analysis: How LAFC role change will benefit South Korea against Czech Republic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2026 World Cup<\/a> is the last dance for a handful of ageing stars. The swansong to a glittering career.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Neymar are among those who\u2019re expected to represent their nation for the final time in North America this summer. You can add Son Heung-min to that last, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-ageing-son-s-role-change-for-lafc\" data-level=\"3\">Ageing Son&#8217;s role change for LAFC<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-nippy-support-men-helping-south-korea-skipper\" data-level=\"3\">Nippy support men helping South Korea skipper<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-hwang-and-lee-set-to-benefit\" data-level=\"3\">Hwang and Lee set to benefit<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve never once defined it as my last one myself. People are free to say whatever they want, but my own thoughts matter. I\u2019ll make the decision myself,\u201d Son said in the build up to South Korea\u2019s tournament opener against the Czech Republic in the early hours of Friday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhether it\u2019s my first or fourth World Cup, my mindset remains the same. The World Cup is a dream stage that makes me feel like a child again,\u201d the South Korea captain added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ageing-son-s-role-change-for-lafc\">Ageing Son&#8217;s role change for LAFC<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Son will turn 34 before the World cup draws to a close next month. Given Modric, at 40, and Ronaldo, at 41, are turning out for Croatia and Portugal, respectively, this summer, it stands to reason that the LAFC forward will prolong his career and make himself available for South Korea in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain in four years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The issue will be the role that Son plays at both this World Cup, and the 2030 edition. The forward\u2019s searing pace was always his greatest strength. However, just as Father Time catches up on any football player, it\u2019s a physical quality in decline. You won\u2019t see Son making the same lung busting runs Tottenham Hotspur fans witnessed during his peak years in north London.<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-toplist\">\n        <div class=\"sq-toplist__items\">\n\t\t\t    <div\n            class=\"sq-toplist__item\"\n            data-entity-id=\"1381422\"\n            data-offer-id=\"1381436\"\n    >\n\t\t        <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-container\">\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"in-content-single-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"logo\" class=\"sq-toplist__logo\" style=\"background:#00143c\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/04\/29213353\/1119582_1119582_01_WH-Core-Brandmark-Gold-Gradient-RGB-2.svg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"William Hill Logo\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t\t                <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer-box\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__bookmaker\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"in-content-single-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"brand_name\">William Hill<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-tablet-visible\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"in-content-single-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Get \u00a330 in Free Bets when you bet \u00a310<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-mobile-visible\">\n                    <a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"in-content-single-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Get \u00a330 in Free Bets when you bet \u00a310<\/a>                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"in-content-single-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"cta\" class=\"sq-btn sq-btn--secondary sq-btn--full\">Claim Offer<\/a>                <div class=\"sq-rating\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__text\">Our Score<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__value\">8.0<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/william-hill-bonus-code\/\" class=\"sq-review-link\">\n                    <span>Read our review<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t        <ul class=\"sq-toplist__features\">\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Bet \u00a310 get \u00a330<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Super Fast Withdrawals<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Trusted Brand<\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n\t\t            <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-tc\"><p>18+. Play Safe. Online only. Ends 31.12.26. New UK customers only, registering with promo code R30. Make your first deposit of \u00a310+, then place a \u00a310 single bet from main balance at odds of 1\/2+ on any sports market (excluding Virtuals). Get \u00a330 in Free Bets (3x\u00a310) after settlement. Free Bets valid on any sports market excl. Virtuals, expire in 7 days, non-withdrawable and must be used in full (\u00a310 each). Deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra\/Postpay and WH PLUS Card excluded. One per customer. Full T&amp;Cs apply. #ad<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As such, the number of take-ons attempted per 90 has dropped from 4.4 to 3.5, but what\u2019s noticeable is the change of style under LAFC head coach Marc Santos. Son no longer operates as the man to lead the charge. Rather, he drops deeper to help knit the play together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-nippy-support-men-helping-south-korea-skipper\">Nippy support men helping South Korea skipper<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Passes per 90 have risen slightly from 27.7 to 29.6, as has the pass accuracy (84.8% to 88.4%). He\u2019s less of a traditional striker in the favoured 4-2-3-1 setup. It means, though, that he is able to drift across the frontline to help link LAFC\u2019s offensive game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Admittedly, chances created per 90 have dropped from 3.3 to 2.5 but there\u2019s been a rise in attempted through balls (3, up from 2) and clear-cut chances created (8, up from 7). And with the nippy LAFC wingers willing to make runs in behind, this means Son is less of a goalscorer and more of a provider.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11170624\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1456734\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11170624\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11170624\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11170624\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11170624\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11170624\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11170624\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11170624\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11170624\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11170624\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-59x74.jpg 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/11170624\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Son has registered more assists (8) than any other player in MLS this season. Of those eight, five have been for teammate Denis Bouanga. It\u2019s the best assist-to-goalscorer combination in MLS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, how does this relate to the 2026 World Cup? Well, South Korea are going to implement a relatively similar setup to LAFC in North America this summer, at least in attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hwang-and-lee-set-to-benefit\">Hwang and Lee set to benefit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The 33-year-old will lead the charge, and is expected to be flanked by Hwang Hee-chan and Lee Kang-in. The respective Wolves and Paris Saint-Germain forwards are renowned for their speed and directness. As such, they\u2019ll cut in from the respective flanks to help put opposition defences to the sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And with Son dropping deeper in search of possession, this will open up space for the attacking pair to utilise. Combined with the wing-backs breaking forward to provide the width in Hong Myung-bo\u2019s three-man defensive system, it\u2019s vital than Son replicate his league form on the international stage.<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-toplist\">\n        <div class=\"sq-toplist__items\">\n\t\t\t    <div\n            class=\"sq-toplist__item\"\n            data-entity-id=\"1381422\"\n            data-offer-id=\"1381436\"\n    >\n\t\t        <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-container\">\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"in-content-single-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"logo\" class=\"sq-toplist__logo\" style=\"background:#00143c\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/04\/29213353\/1119582_1119582_01_WH-Core-Brandmark-Gold-Gradient-RGB-2.svg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"William Hill Logo\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t\t                <div class=\"sq-toplist__offer-box\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__bookmaker\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"in-content-single-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"brand_name\">William Hill<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-tablet-visible\">\n                        <a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"in-content-single-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Get \u00a330 in Free Bets when you bet \u00a310<\/a>                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <span class=\"sq-toplist__offer-title is-mobile-visible\">\n                    <a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"in-content-single-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"offer\">Get \u00a330 in Free Bets when you bet \u00a310<\/a>                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"sq-toplist__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/go\/william-hill?q=gb-all-top-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-brand=\"William Hill\"data-placement=\"in-content-single-toplist\" data-rating=\"8.0\" data-position=\"1\" data-placement-details=\"cta\" class=\"sq-btn sq-btn--secondary sq-btn--full\">Claim Offer<\/a>                <div class=\"sq-rating\">\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__text\">Our Score<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"sq-rating__value\">8.0<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/william-hill-bonus-code\/\" class=\"sq-review-link\">\n                    <span>Read our review<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t        <ul class=\"sq-toplist__features\">\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Bet \u00a310 get \u00a330<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Super Fast Withdrawals<\/li>\n                            <li class=\"sq-toplist__features-item\">Trusted Brand<\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                <\/div>\n\t\t            <div class=\"sq-toplist__item-tc\"><p>18+. Play Safe. Online only. Ends 31.12.26. New UK customers only, registering with promo code R30. Make your first deposit of \u00a310+, then place a \u00a310 single bet from main balance at odds of 1\/2+ on any sports market (excluding Virtuals). Get \u00a330 in Free Bets (3x\u00a310) after settlement. Free Bets valid on any sports market excl. Virtuals, expire in 7 days, non-withdrawable and must be used in full (\u00a310 each). Deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra\/Postpay and WH PLUS Card excluded. One per customer. Full T&amp;Cs apply. #ad<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Czech Republic, after all, aren\u2019t in North America to merely make up the numbers. They have the personnel to hurt South Korea. Patrik Schick struck 16 times in the Bundesliga last season. Pavel Sulc is one of the most promising Czech midfielders in Europe. Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal and Ladislav Krejci all have Premier League experience to call upon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Son\u2019s role change will provide Czech Republic with a tactical conundrum they need to overcome. They can\u2019t simply afford the Taegeuk&nbsp;Warriors skipper the time and the space to dictate the tempo. If Son is given the chance to pull the strings in the final third, then Czech Republic may just fall to an opening matchday defeat in Guadalajara.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\"><strong>World Cup predictions &amp; tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/world-cup-outright-odds\/\"><strong>World Cup outright odds <\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup-2026-fixtures-results\/\"><b>World Cup fixtures &amp; results<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/world-cup-2026-betting-offers\/\"><b>World Cup free bets<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-articles-list\">\n                    <h2 class=\"sq-heading-line\">Latest World Cup 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   <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2026 World Cup is the last dance for a handful of ageing stars. The swansong to a glittering career. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Neymar are among those who\u2019re expected to represent their nation for the final time in North America this summer. You can add Son Heung-min to that last, right?&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1456709,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"south korea world cup","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Son Heung-min's evolving role could be key to South Korea's 2026 World Cup hopes, with the veteran forward now thriving as a creator.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[27631],"class_list":["post-1456708","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","squawka-category-world-cup"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Son Heung-min analysis: How LAFC role change will benefit South Korea against Czech Republic | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" 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