Asian Games 2018: South Korea Wins Gold Medal, Son Avoids Military Service
Sep 2, 2018 at 7:04 PM
South Korea had won the gold medal in the Asian games 2018 after beating Japan 2-1 on Saturday. Much to the delight for Korea’s captain, Son Heung-min who can now avoid military service and continue playing football.
South Korea won 2-1 against Japan to get the gold medal.
Courtesy of extra time goals from Lee Seung-woo and Hwang Hee-chan, South Korea finished first for the first time since 1986. Despite the start of the English Premier League, Son was permitted to feature for the U-23 tournament in Indonesia.
It was known to them that a gold medal would seal Son’s release from mandatory service for his country.
The only way Son could escape from the military service was a gold medal. Not even a bronze or silver medal would have helped the midfielder to escape. It was a narrow escape for captain Son and his team-mates in the end.
Round by round the pressure was mounting for Son and his men. And that had to beat mighty Japan in the final to run a with a gold medal.
South Korea dominated the opening half with many opportunities came in front of them. Hwang UI-jo wasted a glorious chance to break the deadlock. Son himself was guilty of missing chances too. And when he made a super assist to Ui-jo, the tournament’s top scorer failed to find the net.
Extra time was needed to break the deadlock. And Son played a major role in making his side go 1-0 up. He embarked on a mazy dribble three minutes into extra time before a heavy touch ran to Seung Woo-lee, who lashed home from inside the box.
Another Son delivery helped wrap things up. And this time Hwang Hee-chan headed the ball home to secure the gold medal.
Though, Son scored only one goal tournament; he made five assists which played a massive role in the end for his side to earn the gold medal.