Despite featuring in the first game of the season, Heung Min Son jetted off away from North London at the start of this campaign in order to play in the Asia Games with South Korea.
The tournament has specific significance for Son and his team mates, as they have been promised the reward of military duty exemption if they win the gold medal.
This would save Son from missing two year during the peak of his footballing career.
After a rocky start to the games, finishing only second in their group, South Korea saw off Iran today in a 2-0 victory, their first win against them in 10 games.
Korea will now go on to play a strong Uzbekistan side in the quarters.
Iran have won the tournament four times, but goals from Hwang Ui Jo and Lee Seungwoo saw off the strong side, sending Korea through into the quarter-finals.
Son himself was kept quiet by the Iranian defence, but he insists that it’s now anyone’s tournament to win.
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He said: “Every round of 16 team can win the tournament so I think we are strong enough, Iran is also strong but I think what is important is the mentality.
“The pressure was there but I think we believed more than Iran.”
If Son is to lead his team to gold medal glory, he won’t be back playing for Spurs until their Wembley game against Liverpool on September 15.
Son said: “As I have already said, I feel very sorry but this tournament, for me, is very important because of my country.”
Can South Korea win the gold medal? And do Spurs fans mind Son being away?
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