Son bị chế giễu vì nghĩa vụ quân sự và vụ bắn hạ máy bay không người lái – liệu Hàn Quốc có thể đưa kỳ World Cup hỗn loạn trở lại đúng hướng?

Hong Myung-bo’s squad has had to deal with issues off the pitch but a point against South Africa is enough to progress

The tacos that Son Heung-min ate were reportedly of the Al Pastor and Arrachera variety. The former Tottenham forward was mobbed after taking an Uber from South Korea’s training camp, perhaps the most-talked about base at this World Cup tournament, to downtown Guadalajara. The crowds were another signal, if any were needed, of the forward’s global popularity, though the online advice was that he should have gone to a better restaurant.

And he could do with better service too, as demonstrated by the 1-0 defeat against Mexico in the second game of Group A. The forward, who turns 34 before the quarter-final stage, was feeding off scraps as the Taegeuk Warriors played passively for a draw until a big error from Kim Seung-gyu – the goalkeeper was another taco muncher – gave the co‑hosts a goal from nowhere and a first place in the round of 32. For Korea, facing South Africa in the final game, a win would be great, a draw would be enough for second but defeat would mean either the lottery of third place or even a slip into fourth and guaranteed elimination.