Son Woong-jung's Stern Expression Caught on YouTube as He Watches Son Heung-min Start on the Bench Against South Africa

Son Woong-jung Spotted Watching the Pitch with Arms Crossed
Heightened Attention as Son Heung-min Starts on the Bench and the Team Faces Defeat

Son Woong-jung, the father of South Korean national football team captain Son Heung-min, was spotted at the scene of the match where South Korea lost 0-1 to South Africa, drawing attention online.

On the 25th, YouTuber GwakTube released a video on his channel showing his firsthand experience attending the third Group A match between South Korea and South Africa at the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup. In the video, GwakTube painted a Taegeuk symbol on his face and cheered for the national team, but could not hide his disappointment after the match ended.

Son Woong-jung, the father of Son Heung-min, was spotted at the scene of the match where the South Korean national football team lost 0-1 to South Africa. YouTube channel 'GwakTube'

The moment that particularly caught the attention of netizens was when the stands were shown. Behind GwakTube, who was watching the match, Son Woong-jung was also captured on camera. He stood with his arms crossed, gazing at the field, his expression rather stern as he watched the game unfold.

This scene gained even more attention because of the result of the match. South Korea lost 0-1 to South Africa in the match held at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico. Head coach Hong Myung-bo left Son Heung-min out of the starting lineup and placed Oh Hyun-gyu up front. Son Heung-min started the game on the bench and was substituted in during the second half, but South Korea ultimately failed to score an equalizer.

Widespread Discussion Over Son's Omission from Starting Lineup

Even before the match, Son Heung-min's omission from the starting lineup was a major talking point. With the national team captain starting on the bench for the final group stage match, and South Korea struggling to find attacking opportunities against South Africa, fans' disappointment grew. After the game, images of Son Woong-jung from the GwakTube video rapidly spread on social media.

South Korean national soccer team captain Son Heung-min covers his face with his uniform, looking disappointed after the 0-1 defeat against South Africa in the third match of Group A at the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup held at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico on the 24th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News.

Some fans commented, "It must have been frustrating from a father's perspective," "His silent watch was even more bittersweet," and "The combination of Son Heung-min starting on the bench and the team's defeat made it a symbolic moment." However, Son Woong-jung did not make any direct statements regarding the match or Son Heung-min's exclusion from the starting lineup. It is difficult to judge his feelings based solely on his facial expression in the video, but the overlap of the team's defeat and Son Heung-min starting on the bench left a strong impression among fans.

Head coach Hong explained that the decision to leave Son Heung-min out of the starting lineup was a tactical one. He said he believed bringing Son on in the second half, considering the opponent's fatigue and the flow of the game, would be better for both the team and the player. Son Heung-min also reportedly stated after the match that he had been briefed by the coach in advance about starting from the bench.

However, South Korea ultimately failed to score and lost 0-1 to South Africa. The decision to leave Son Heung-min, the face of Korean football and team captain, out of the starting lineup remained at the center of controversy even after the match. The sight of Son Woong-jung watching from the stands further deepened the sense of disappointment following the defeat to South Africa.

Continued Criticism from Foreign Commentators

Meanwhile, criticism from foreign commentators also continued. Thierry Henry, serving as a commentator for Fox Sports in the United States, criticized the Korean national team's game management, stating that it was "closer to football played not to lose rather than to win." Henry's criticism focused on Son Heung-min's omission from the starting lineup. He assessed that the decision to leave Son on the bench meant the team deliberately excluded a key leader who could guide the players during difficult phases of the match. He also pointed out that the inability to change the course of the game after Son Heung-min was substituted in during the second half indicated that the problem went beyond the timing of one player's introduction.

Among them, criticism from foreign commentators continued. Thierry Henry, who appeared as a commentator for Fox Sports in the United States, criticized the Korean national team's game management, saying it was "closer to football played not to lose rather than to win." Yonhap News Agency

There were also criticisms of the team's attacking tactics. Henry noted that despite South Korea's lineup featuring talented attackers such as Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, and Hwang Hee-chan, the team failed to demonstrate detailed organization or clear direction. In particular, he criticized the team's inability to seize control of the match against South Africa and the repeated frustrating developments, saying, "Vague hope cannot be a strategy." Among football fans, the controversy continued, with many questioning, "Why wasn't the most important player used from the start in the most important match?" thus fueling ongoing debate over Hong Myung-bo's decision.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.