![South Korea's national team trains at Estadio Universitario in Monterrey, Mexico, on Tuesday (local time), ahead of their Group A finale against South Africa at the 2026 North America World Cup. JTBC football commentator Park Ji-sung watches the session. [Yonhap]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/24/rcv.YNA.20260624.PYH2026062400500001300_P1.jpg)
Park Ji-sung, a South Korean football legend and JTBC commentator, shared his views on Son Heung-min's early substitutions at the ongoing World Cup.
Speaking to reporters at Estadio Universitario in Monterrey, Mexico, on Wednesday (Korean Standard Time) — one day before South Korea's Group A finale against South Africa at the 2026 North America World Cup — Park said Son had been too isolated up front in the team's opening two matches. "In both the Czech Republic game and the Mexico game, Son Heung-min found himself cut off at the front a lot," he said. "It's a shame that the connecting passes simply weren't coming through."
Park said Son's greatest asset remains his finishing ability. "The question is how to create space for him and what kind of passes can be played to unlock that," he added.
On Son's early substitutions, Park said there was reason for disappointment. "I think there are aspects to feel sorry about. Looking at the results, it's hard to see it any other way," he said.
He added that the outcome determines how the decision is judged. "If he had been taken off early and the result had been good, the tactical move would have been praised. But when the result is bad, the manager has to accept criticism for taking him off early. That is the manager's authority — and his responsibility," Park said.
Park also addressed how South Korea should approach the match against South Africa. "South Africa are a team with fast attacks down both flanks, and their fullbacks push high up the pitch," he said. "The most important thing is how effectively South Korea can contain their wide attacks."
He said South Korea must also be ready to exploit space on the counter. "When they push forward, how quickly South Korea can take control of the space behind their wide players and manage the game from there will also be crucial," Park said. "South Africa have repeatedly shown a tendency to make mistakes under pressure during build-up play. Whether South Korea can force those errors and convert them into clear chances will ultimately decide the result."
Park singled out Kim Min-jae as the most important player for the match. "Keeping a clean sheet is what will give South Korea a chance to qualify on their own terms," Park said. "They need to avoid conceding first to play the game the way they want."
He expressed confidence in Kim's leadership at the back. "Kim Min-jae was very focused on his defensive duties in the first two matches, and I expect him to lead the defense well in the third as well," Park said. "He has been performing well, so it must be frustrating not to have kept a clean sheet yet. I hope he can show that in this game."
min3654@heraldcorp.com
