Defiant Son Heung-min rejects decline narrative | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK By Yoo Jee-ho SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea captain Son Heung-min is pushing back against the notion that he has hit the downslope of his career, despite mounting evidence to the contrary. Son Heung-min of South Korea looks back toward the pitch after a 1-0 loss to Austria in the teams' friendly football match at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on March 31, 2026. (Yonhap) Son then joined the national team in March with zero open-play goals in nine matches for his Los Angeles Football Club this season. I am always doing the best I can, and I am feeling good physically." Son said the European trip, which began with a 4-0 loss to Ivory Coast near London last Saturday, presented mental challenges for South Korea, and he wanted to thank his teammates for their hard work. "I've always tried to maintain good relationships with younger players," Son added. "As long as I am around, I want to share my energy and skills with them." Son Heung-min of South Korea goes after the ball against Austria during the teams' friendly football match at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on March 31, 2026. (Yonhap) jeeho@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles S. Korea fall to Austria in pre-World Cup friendly Keywords #football #FIFA World Cup Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break Gov't proposes 26.2 tln-won extra budget to cushion impact of Middle East tensions Korean Air to enter emergency management mode over soaring fuel costs (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

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By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea captain Son Heung-min is pushing back against the notion that he has hit the downslope of his career, despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
Son missed a few scoring opportunities in South Korea's 1-0 loss to Austria in Vienna on Tuesday. Long able to score off both feet, Son misfired on a couple of left-footed shots and was denied on a fast break look by the opposing goalkeeper Patrick Pentz -- a play eventually ruled offside.
Son, 33, sits second on the all-time South Korean goals list with 54, four behind the leader, Cha Bum-kun, but Son's pace has slowed. In 2024, he netted 10 goals in 15 international matches, but his production dipped to just three goals in nine matches in 2025.
Son Heung-min of South Korea looks back toward the pitch after a 1-0 loss to Austria in the teams' friendly football match at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on March 31, 2026. (Yonhap)
Son then joined the national team in March with zero open-play goals in nine matches for his Los Angeles Football Club this season.
Son, however, insisted he didn't think he had taken any step back.
"I don't think I've suffered any dip in my performance," he said. "When the time comes for me to leave the national team, then I will do it on my own. If I can no longer play at a high level, then I shouldn't be on the national team. Now I have to return to my club and try to perform better."
Son said he understands fans' frustration with his lack of scoring because he had set the bar so high.
"It's disappointing that people talk about decline whenever I hit a dry spell," Son said. "I know there are high expectations on me because I've scored so many goals over the years. I am always doing the best I can, and I am feeling good physically."
Son said the European trip, which began with a 4-0 loss to Ivory Coast near London last Saturday, presented mental challenges for South Korea, and he wanted to thank his teammates for their hard work.
"I've always tried to maintain good relationships with younger players," Son added. "As long as I am around, I want to share my energy and skills with them."
Son Heung-min of South Korea goes after the ball against Austria during the teams' friendly football match at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on March 31, 2026. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Defiant Son Heung-min rejects decline narrative

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Korea fall to Austria in pre-World Cup friendly Keywords #football #FIFA World Cup Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break Gov't proposes 26.2 tln-won extra budget to cushion impact of Middle East tensions Korean Air to enter emergency management mode over soaring fuel costs (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

### Implications
- Son, however, insisted he didn't think he had taken any step back. "I don't think I've suffered any dip in my performance," he said. "When the time comes for me to leave the national team, then I will do it on my own.
- Korea coach pleased with defensive effort in friendly loss to Austria (LEAD) S.
- Korea fall to Austria in pre-World Cup friendly Keywords #football #FIFA World Cup Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break Gov't proposes 26.2 tln-won extra budget to cushion impact of Middle East tensions Korean Air to enter emergency management mode over soaring fuel costs (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers son, korea, news topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 714.