Son Heung-min Breaks Cha Bum-kun's All-Time Scoring Record as Coach Moreno's Side Breathes a Sigh of Relief

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The national football team defeated Uzbekistan 2 to 0. Captain Son Heung-min wrote a new chapter in history by scoring his 59th career goal in an A-match, surpassing legendary Cha Bum-kun's record.

Reporter Lee Jeong-Chan has the story.

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Drawing a handball foul from the opponent with a sharp shot just 4 minutes into the first half, Son Heung-min exchanged words with Lee Kang-in before piercing the Uzbek net with a sublime free kick.

The low-curling right-footed shot slipped through the defensive wall and flew straight into the goal. Recording his 59th career A-match goal, Son Heung-min surpassed "legend" Cha Bum-kun to set a new all-time scoring record.

This is Son's 3rd goal across the current 4-match A-match series.

However, despite the early opening goal, the national team struggled against Uzbekistan, a team considered a notch below.

Exposing gaps here and there in their defensive organization, they invited trouble and barely avoided conceding thanks to a series of fine saves by goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo.

Continuing to maintain a shaky lead, the national team turned the momentum around with a single strike.

In the 15th minute of the second half, Song Min-kyu, who was subbed in for Lee Kang-in, delivered a cross, and tall striker Oh Se-hun headed it in.

Afterward, Head Coach Moreno doused the fire by heavily substituting players with high work rates.

Reversing the mood with a 2 to 0 victory following lackluster performances in the previous two matches, Coach Moreno wrapped up the current 4-match A-match series with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss.

[Son Heung-min / National Football Team Captain: I feel truly and immensely honored to be able to make history like this, and I feel that every single goal I have scored until now is truly precious and I am deeply grateful for them.]

Having decided to play 6 matches under interim head coach Moreno, the national team will gather again ahead of the final two friendlies next month.

Meanwhile, rumors of retirement from the national team flared up regarding Hwang In-beom, who suddenly teared up right after the match, as well as Kim Min-jae and Hwang Hee-chan, who recently poured out candid remarks. Hwang In-beom drew a line by saying, "It is a matter for the coach to decide," while also adding, "I am always preparing to wisely let go."

(Video by Yoo Dong-hyuk | Video Editing by Park Gi-deok)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.