Tottenham-bound teenage forward Yang Min-hyeok called up by South Korea
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Tottenham Hotspur-bound teenager Yang Min-hyeok has “done enough” to be handed his first international call-up.
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SEOUL – Tottenham Hotspur-bound teenager Yang Min-hyeok has “done enough” to be handed his first international call-up, after being named in South Korea’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers in September.
The forward, 18, was called up by new coach Hong Myung-bo as the Taegeuk Warriors begin their final-round campaign against Palestine at home on Sept 5 and Oman away five days later.
Captain Son Heung-min, who just started his 10th season with Spurs, was also named in the 26-man squad on Aug 26, alongside Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae and Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in – arguably the three biggest star players of the team.
Yang, who signed for English Premier League club Tottenham on a 5½-year deal in July, will join from Gangwon FC in January after the South Korean season ends.
He has been in blistering form, scoring eight goals and recording five assists for Gangwon, who lead the K-League table after 28 games.
Hong said the teenager had “done enough this season to deserve a spot on the national team”.
“His body of work for speaks for itself, and I think this was the right time to give him this opportunity,” Yonhap news agency quoted the coach as saying.
“A lot of people have high expectations of him, and I hope he can do some good things for us here. And it’s up to him to keep earning these chances.”
Hong was named as South Korea’s new coach in July after a protracted search to find a successor to Jurgen Klinsmann, who was fired after the Asian Cup in February.
The South Koreans are aiming to qualify for their 11th straight World Cup.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou also had huge praise for Yang when the deal was announced.
“A young talented player and we’re looking always to (sign) not just for the present but for the future,” he said.
“He’s shown great promise and we’re looking forward to having him as part of the club, once he’s finished his commitments with his club.”
Yang himself was thrilled and looking ahead to the future.
“Joining a big club like Spurs means that the club acknowledges my abilities. I believe that if I do my best and work hard, I will automatically improve a lot,” he said.
“When I move (to London), adapting will be important. There is Sonny, this will be a big help for my adapting process since we are both Korean.
“Sonny is captain of South Korea; I would say he had a big influence on my decision.” AFP, REUTERS
