Ange Postecoglou has defended Son Heung-min’s role in the reported altercation in the South Korean camp, insisting that the forward was trying to set clear standards.
It has been widely reported over the past week that there was a scuffle in the Korean camp on the eve of their Asian Cup semi-final against Jordan, which they lost 2-0.
According to various sources, the issue started when Son took issue with some of the younger players leaving dinner early to play ping-pong, with the Tottenham man viewing it as an opportunity for the side to bond (The Sun).
It has since been confirmed by multiple sources that the 31-year-old dislocated his finger while trying to break up a fight that broke out among his teammates (Football.London).
Heung-min Son is a role model on and off the pitch
Postecoglou has now remarked that his player was standing up for what he believed in, explaining that Son does not shy away from doing the right thing just because it might be unpopular among his teammates.
The Australian told The Daily Mail: “That’s what leadership is all about. Leadership is not about being popular and trying to make everybody happy, it’s about when you see something that you don’t feel is right then you stand up for it because it’s the best thing for the group.
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“Sometimes people are mistaken about Sonny. By nature, he’s a nice guy and a positive guy who whenever you see him is smiling and everyone has a real affection for him. He is very polite and very respectful, but he wants to win.
“He doesn’t like standards slipping and I’ve seen him do that around here. If something is not right, he will say it. Sometimes it is not the popular thing to do. Sometimes that puts you in the firing line with the playing group, and with coaches or the club.
“But as a leader, if you think this is the right thing to do then you should go strongly on it. That drive for high standards transfers to leadership.”
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Son has certainly shown a different side since he became captain last summer. While the 31-year-old is obviously quite approachable and empathetic, he also demands high standards from his teammates and is always pushing them on the pitch.
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