South Korea captain Son Heung-min isn't happy with the playing surfaces at home. The Tottenham star believes poor pitches have hurt his team's World Cup qualifying campaign after two frustrating 1-1 draws in March.
Despite these setbacks, South Korea still sits three points clear at the top of Group B. They could have sealed their World Cup spot with a win against either Oman last Thursday or Jordan on Tuesday.
"I think there's a reason why we've had better results in away matches," Son told reporters. "When we're at home, we're supposed to enjoy the best playing conditions possible, but things have not improved at all."
The matches were moved from Seoul's World Cup Stadium due to pitch concerns. But Son clearly wasn't impressed with the alternative venues in Goyang and Suwon either.
Home Field Disadvantage?
Son's frustration was evident as he questioned where South Korea's home advantage actually comes from. "I know we can play better than this, but when conditions on our home soil get in the way, then I wonder where we should get our home field advantage," he explained.
The captain emphasized that these aren't just excuses. "Every small detail matters in football. It can make the difference between getting one point or getting three points. I hope people will pay closer attention to it."
For bettors, this insight raises interesting questions about South Korea's home advantage in upcoming qualifiers. The team that typically dominates at home might not be as solid a favorite if pitch conditions remain problematic.
Qualification Still in Sight
Despite the disappointing results, South Korea's World Cup dream remains very much alive. They need just a single point from their remaining two matches to secure an 11th consecutive World Cup appearance.
The Taeguk Warriors face Iraq in Basra on June 5 before returning home to play Kuwait on June 10. Given Son's comments, the away fixture might actually suit South Korea's style better.
Son is focused on keeping team morale high, especially among younger players. "Despite this disappointment, we're still leading our group and that's a fact. We want to stay there until the end of the round," he said.
"I told them if we just keep working at it, we will finish in first place. The most important thing for these young guys is not to lose their confidence."
For those considering bets on upcoming qualifiers, Son's leadership and South Korea's away form might make them an attractive option when they visit Iraq. However, their final home qualifier against Kuwait could present value for draw backers if pitch concerns persist.
