Son Heung-min's South Korea win Asian Games and earn exemption from national service
Substitute Lee Seung-woo and Hwang Hee-chan scored in extra time to help South Korea retain their title
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
Son Heung-min will not have to undertake compulsory national service after South Korea won the Asian Games on Saturday.
Substitute Lee Seung-woo and Hwang Hee-chan scored in extra time to help South Korea retain their title with a 2-1 victory against arch-rivals Japan.
Ayase Ueda reduced the margin for Japan with five minutes left in extra time but his side could not find the equaliser to take the match to penalties.
All able-bodied South Korean men must complete 21 months service in the military as a deterrent against the North, but exemptions are offered to athletes who win gold at the Asian Games or a medal of any colour at the Olympics.
Son, who captained South Korea as one of the over-aged players in the under-23 competition, had a role in both goals.
Gamba Osaka striker Hwang Ui-jo's profligacy meant South Korea were not able to seal the victory in 90 minutes and it was left to Lee to score the first goal when he planted his drive into the top of the net from a Son layoff.
Hwang's pinpoint header from Son's corner eight minutes later doubled South Korea's lead though Japan refused to give up.
Son was substituted seconds before the final whistle only to run back on the field in jubilation to celebrate the victory, which has huge ramifications for his career.
Son made one appearance from the bench for Spurs before linking up with South Korea's Games squad earlier this month and was congratulated by the Premier League team after the final.
"Congratulations, Sonny -- #AsianGames WINNER!" Spurs tweeted.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments