Player success puts Hong's tactical shortcomings back under scrutiny

Former Korea national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo's tactical shortcomings have once again come under scrutiny.

Three key players from the national team — Son Heung-min (LAFC), Lee Kang-in (Atlético Madrid) and Hwang In-beom (FC Porto) — have reaffirmed their quality through a string of goals and high-profile transfers since the disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Korea failed to advance to the knockout round.

Son continued in fine form on Friday (local time), scoring the opening and eventual winning goal just five minutes into LAFC's 4-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

The goal further underscored the 34-year-old forward's return to top form.

Although he struggled to find the net consistently before the World Cup, Son has now scored in three consecutive league matches since the MLS resumed, beginning with a match against the LA Galaxy.

Including his two goals in the Concacaf Champions Cup, he has five goals this season.

Starting as the lone striker, Son latched into a counterattack, burst into the penalty area and fired a right-foote ...