Sports
Son on target as Klinsmann’s South Korea thump Singapore
South Korea’s forward Son Heung-min fights for the ball with Singapore’s defender Muhammad Safuwan Baharudin during the 2026 World Cup qualification football match between South Korea and Singapore in Seoul on November 16, 2023. — AFP pic

SEOUL, Nov 16 — Son Heung-min scored a beauty from outside the box as Jurgen Klinsmann’s South Korea thumped Singapore 5-0 on Thursday to launch their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in style.

South Korea will next play China in Shenzhen next Tuesday, while Singapore host Thailand the same day.

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The Koreans dominated possession at Seoul World Cup Stadium but they had nothing to show for it until Cho Gue-sung struck in the 44th minute.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in sent a curling cross into the box and FC Midtjylland forward Cho caught the visiting defenders napping to sneak in behind and slot the ball home.

Cho had struck the crossbar with a volley on 34 minutes, one of several opportunities that South Korea failed to convert in the opening half. The hosts also had a goal ruled out for offside on 21 minutes.

Four minutes after the restart it was 2-0 when Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers headed home for his second goal in as many matches for his country.

After Singapore had a goal chalked off for offside, skipper and talisman Son made it three with a delicious left-footed curler from outside the box just after the hour.

Hwang Ui-jo of Norwich City scored a penalty to make it four and PSG’s Lee put the finishing touch on an easy victory with a left-footed strike on 85 minutes. — AFP

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