Son Heung-min satisfied with Paulo Bento’s training program for nat’l football team

PAJU, South Korea, Sept. 5 (Yonhap) — South Korean football ace Son Heung-min said Wednesday he is satisfied with Paulo Bento’s training program for the national football team.

“I was impressed with his training program,” Son said during a press conference at the National Football Center (NFC) in Paju, north of Seoul. “Bento doesn’t miss small things, and he gives orders in detail.”

After returning home with an Asian Games gold medal, Son joined Bento’s senior squad for upcoming friendly matches with Costa Rica and Chile. The Tottenham Hotspur had his first training under Bento, who was appointed head coach for the men’s national football team last month, on Tuesday.

“I’m ready to absorb anything (from his training program),” he said. “I really have big expectations with our national team.”

Son said he feels tired from the tight Asian Games schedule, but he is ready to sacrifice for the team, like he always has been.

“With the Asian Games title defense, I think South Korean football is having a good mood,” he said. “We will not betray fans’ expectations in two upcoming friendly matches.”

South Korean football player Son Heung-min speaks during a press conference at the National Football Center in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on Sept. 5, 2018. (Yonhap)

Bento will make his South Korea coaching debut on Friday when the Taeguk Warriors take on Costa Rica at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, north of Seoul. Son said he will not disappoint in South Korea’s first match with the new boss.

“I know it’s his debut match,” he said. “I will make sure he’ll have good memories.”

With Bento, South Korea will first have to prepare for the 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Son said the players are ready for the tournament.

“We are going to compete with the Asian Games title under our belt,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll prepare hard. We have so many good players on this team.”

Son was captain of the under-23 team that won the Asian Games in Indonesia. The 26-year-old, who competed at the Asian Games as one of three wild card members, said he learned a lot about leadership through his Asiad experience.

“I felt a big responsibility playing with young players,” he said. “Although I was physically tired, I tried not to show it to my teammates. It was a competition where I learned about leadership.”

Son said he and Bento talked about wearing the captain’s armband for the senior side as well, but nothing has been confirmed.

“We have good veteran players on this team,” he said. “I’ll follow Bento’s decision.”