Son Heung-min scores 51st goal, hints at national team retirement goals

[Anchor]

In the third qualifying match of the North and Central America World Cup against Palestine, Son Heung-min scored his 51st goal, moving up to second place in the all-time A-match scoring rankings.

Disheartened by the inability to defeat Palestine, which was considered a weaker team, Son Heung-min unexpectedly mentioned conditions for his retirement from the national team.

This is reporter Son Ki-seong.

[Report]

While the uneven field was at fault, the South Korean national football team was dragged down by Palestine due to a ridiculous backpass mistake by Kim Min-jae.

Son Heung-min's 51st A-match goal, created by a perfect triangular pass from Lee Myung-jae and Lee Jae-sung, brought not just excitement but also a sense of relief.

[Nam Hyun-jong/KBS Announcer: "Son Heung-min scores~~~ The resilient captain, the dignity of a leader! Surpassing coach Hwang Sun-hong, now with 51 goals!"]

In the all-time scoring rankings for the national team, Son Heung-min is now chasing Cha Bum-kun by 7 goals while pushing coach Hwang Sun-hong down to third place.

Even after ranking second as Korea's top scorer, Son Heung-min remained indifferent about his personal achievements.

[Son Heung-min/South Korean National Team: "I don't think about various records as something important right now. I tend to think a lot about how I can contribute to the team through my plays, actions, and performance."]

After being caught offside in the second half and failing to score an additional goal, Son Heung-min's nerves were briefly on edge as the match ended in a draw.

Having scored 10 goals for the national team this year alone, captain Son Heung-min vowed to create a team that he is 100% satisfied with before his retirement.

[Son Heung-min/South Korean National Team: "(I felt) we showed a performance that was 2-3% lacking, but if we can gradually fill those gaps, I hope that when I leave the national team, I can retire having created a team that I am 100% satisfied with."]

This is Son Ki-seong from KBS News.