FIFA World Cup 2022: Son Heung Min, sporting a mask, starts for South Korea vs Uruguay

FIFA World Cup 2022: Son Heung-min was seen sporting a protective face mask as he started for South Korea in their Group H opener against South American powerhouses Uruguay at the Education City Stadium in Qatar on Thursday.

Son Heung-min started for South Korea against Uruguay (Reuters Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: South Korea’s superstar Son Heung-min was back in action for the first time since suffering an injury to his face for Tottenham Hotspur during their Champions League match against Marseille earlier in November. The Spurs star was seen sporting a customised mask as a protective measure after suffering a facial injury. Son started for South Korea in their FIFA World Cup 2022 match against Uruguay at the Education City Stadium.

The South Korean captain looked in good spirits as the Asian giants took the field in what would be a tricky test for them against the South American powerhouses, who dropped Edinson Cavani to the bench. Son joined the attack with Na Sang-ho, Lee Jae-sung while South Korea picked Hwang Ui-jo of Olympiakos as a lone striker.

Son Heung-min was in doubt after he suffered multiple fractures around his left eye three weeks ago. He underwent surgery even as fans of South Korea were waiting with bated breath to see if he would make it in time for their opener.

Son, however, put out a post on his social media that he would not miss the World Cup for anything and was prepared to take the field for South Korea at the World Cup. It was the third straight World Cup appearance for Son, who wore the captain’s armband, much to the cheers of the South Korean fans at the Qatar stadium.

“Compared to the masks you’ve had to wear for the last two years, the mask that I will wear at the World Cup will be nothing,” Son had said in his Instagram post.

Son made his presence felt in the opening match but the South Korea captain suffered an injury scare when he was tripped in the 56th minute by Caceres, who stepped on his shoes. However, there wasn’t anything to worry for as Son got and carried on after a brief break in play.

The hard-fought contest ended 0-0 at halftime with the South American side guilty of wasting opportunities. Federico Valverde sent a volley wide and Darwin Nunez failed to connect with a pass in the penalty box. Later, Diego Godin’s header struck the post. For South Korea, Hwang Ui-jo scuffed their best chance by shooting over the bar from close range.