Son Heung-min, first full game since returning from injury… I was just wasting my time
Son Heung-min (right) competing for the ball with an opposing defender during a game against Ipswich Town. Although he played full time for the first time since his injury, the team lost unfortunately. (AP=Newsis)
‘Captain’ Son Heung-min (32, Tottenham) played full-time for the first time after recovering from injury.
Son Heung-min started in the 11th round home game of the 2024-25 English Premier League (EPL) against Ipswich Town held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on the 10th (Korean time). As a left-wing attacker, he played all 90 minutes in both halves for the first time since returning from injury.
Son Heung-min made his comeback after 4 games as a starter in the EPL 8th round match against West Ham on the 19th of last month, but after the game, thigh pain recurred and he took a break again. Son Heung-min returned to the 10th round match against Aston Villa on the 3rd, and following the UEFA Europa League away match against Galatasaray (Turkiye) on the 8th, he started three consecutive games to this day. He was substituted in the 11th minute of the second half against Aston Villa (4-1 win), and played only 45 minutes in the first half against Galatasaray (2-3 loss).
Son Heung-min, who has recorded 3 goals and 3 assists in the EPL this season, showed light movement for the first time in a while. Although he was unable to increase his attack points, he recorded 4 shots and 2 key passes thanks to his trademark brilliant dribbling breakthrough.
However, despite his performance, Tottenham lost 1-2, becoming the victim of the promoted team Ipswich (1 win, 5 draws, 5 losses) for their first win of the season.
After the game, Son Heung-min immediately moved to Kuwait, where the 5th round of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup 3rd qualifying round was held. The Korean national soccer team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, will play an away game against Kuwait at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City at 11 p.m. on the 14th. Then, at 11 p.m. on the 19th, the sixth game will be played against Palestine at the Amman International Stadium in Jordan, a neutral stadium.
