Saudi Arabia’s 40,000 spectators were not scary, but we desperately needed support from our allies in a penalty shootout that required strong concentration. “Captain” Son Heung-min stood in front of the referee to proceed with the penalty shootout facing the Red Devil’s cheering squad.

The South Korean national soccer team, led by Jürgen Klinsmann, played the round of 16 at the 2023 AFC (Asian Football Federation) Qatar Asian Cup against the Saudi Arabian national team led by Roberto Mancini at 1 a.m. on January 31 (Korea time). The two teams, which drew 1-1 in the first and second 90 minutes, entered the penalty shootout without a game even in overtime, and the result was a 4-2 victory for South Korea.

Before the penalty shootout began, Son Heung-min approached Uzbek referee Iljz Tantashev and talked about something. The conversation was conveyed through a voice of a national team official a day after the match.

Initially, the referee wanted to proceed with the penalty shootout in front of the home team’s goal post, which is located on the left based on the headquarters’ seats. According to FIFA (International Football Federation) regulations, the camp must be decided through coin toss, but in some competitions, such as the Asian Cup, the referee can decide the location arbitrarily according to his own guidelines.

In addition, a jimmy jib was installed behind the goalpost close to the home team bench to capture the goalkeeper’s motion nicely. The referee’s decision is all the more understandable if there was a request from the official broadcaster.

However, thousands of Saudi Arabian fans were sitting behind the bench. Those who cheered enthusiastically throughout the match applauded with the drum and jumped nonstop to cheer for their national team. Whenever Korean players kick in the penalty shootout, chances were high that they would engage in tremendous war of nerves and sabotage.

Son Heung-min did not wait and see. He complained to the referee, asking him why he decided arbitrarily, and suggested that the penalty shootout goal be decided by coin toss in principle.

After the referee agreed, the coin toss was carried out, and luckily, he was able to shoot a penalty shootout at the goal near the South Korean bench where the Red Devil was located. A national team official added, “I think the opinion was well accepted because he is an influential and English-speaking captain, Son Heung-min.”

Thanks to Son Heung-min’s direct participation, South Korea was able to go to the penalty shootout facing the Red Devil instead of facing the 40,000 spectators in Saudi Arabia. With psychological factors having a big impact, a word of “captain” brought good results.

BY: 토토사이트 순위