Doha, Nov 27: Ghana coach Otto Addo has been impressed with Son Heung-min ever since he coached the South Korea forward at the youth level.
The two will be reunited on Monday when Ghana meets South Korea in Group H at the World Cup at Education City Stadium.
Addo was working for German club Hamburg when he first encountered Son, who he recommended for the first team. “He’s very, very disciplined. So he became so good because he worked hard for it. This is what I hoped for, and I expected it,” Addo said Sunday before the match.
He added with a smile: “I always wish him all the best, except tomorrow.” Son and the South Koreans challenged Uruguay in their tough Group H opener, coming away with a 0-0 draw.
Son personified that bravery, wearing a mask to protect a broken left eye socket and cheered on by fans wearing Batman masks. He was injured playing for Tottenham on November 2 in a Champions League match against Marseille that limited his training ahead of the World Cup.
South Korea coach Paulo Bento said winger Hwang Hee-chan was still struggling with a hamstring injury and would not play against Canada.
Ghana heads into Tuesday’s match against South Korea after losing to Portugal 3-2 in its opener. All five of the African teams were winless in their first group matches, but Tunisia rebounded with a victory over Qatar in its second game. (AP)
