Latest news with #SonHeungmin
BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
'I'm not scared' - Malaysia hero's courage to play again after acid attack
Faisal Halim avoids shopping malls these of Malaysia's most famous footballers, the forward was in the prime of his career when a routine shopping trip with his family 13 months ago changed his life was at a mall in the township of Kota Damansara where Faisal was splashed with acid by an unknown assailant and left with fourth-degree burns, which needed four surgeries and several days in intensive attack left him scarred physically and emotionally."I am not scared, but I just don't want something like that to happen again," Faisal, 27, tells BBC Sport."So I don't go out any more. Once training is done, I go home to spend time with my son, my wife and my family."Just three months earlier, he had scored the biggest goal of his career for his country as Malaysia held Son Heung-min's South Korea at the Asian Cup in January winger picked up possession inside the box and left Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae and goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo on the floor with his trickery, before finishing on the turn from a tight angle in the thrilling 3-3 strike took his tally to 13 goals in 21 appearances for Malaysia between September 2022 and January 2024 - he was undoubtedly the biggest star for both his club Selangor FC and country. But fate conspired to change his outlook on life and a career that was blossoming, having started out at 17 with home state team Penang and flourished with a 2023 move to to his face, neck, shoulders, hands and chest after the attack impeded Faisal's speech and mobility, meaning he did not touch a football for more than two months."Every moment, I would get flashbacks," he recalls of his time in hospital. "It was very difficult and I was mentally down, my morale was very low."Many things have changed. I cannot smile properly now."There were times when I considered not playing football any more out of fear. But I received a lot of calls and messages every day. I could not hold the phone while in the hospital, so my wife used to read out all the messages from the fans."The whole of Malaysia prayed for me. It gave me more courage to play again."In July 2024, Faisal began a month of recovery and personal training with Selangor before making the bench the following month in a Malaysian FA Cup semi-final tie - exactly 90 days after the traumatic to action has not been without its are the days when he was the first name on the Selangor and Malaysia teamsheet, but Faisal believes the challenging times are now behind him."I just want to play," he says. "I am confident, normal and 100%. I am ready to play. I just want more time on the pitch."Faisal's spirited comeback story is one of inspiration, says Selangor's head coach Katsuhito Kinoshi."What Faisal needs to do is show his positive and unbreakable mentality to our fans and Malaysian football," he adds."He is someone who has the power to move fans, not only on the pitch but also off it." In March 2025, he scored his first goal since recovery, performing Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic 'siu' celebration against Kelantan Darul Naim, and added two more to complete a remarkable hat-trick in a stunning 7-0 success.A call-up to the national team followed and Faisal made a substitute appearance in the 2-0 win against Nepal in the Asian Cup qualifiers on 25 March to earn his first minutes for Malaysia since the acid attack."It's exciting to watch [Faisal] in the national team set-up," said Malaysia's Australian head coach Peter Cklamovski, a former assistant of Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou."He's a fantastic winger, an exciting player who has the ability to really hurt teams when he goes forward."Faisal plays with intensity and intent in everything he does. I'm sure this is a good moment for him to come back to the national team. He deserves it and I feel like he has a story to tell."Malaysia, ranked 131st in the world, are battling with Vietnam, Nepal and Laos to reach back-to-back Asian Cups for the first time since hopes to play a part in helping them achieve their target, having been named in the squad for the 10 June qualifier at home to Vietnam, who lead Group F on goal difference from Malaysia after one vowed to "get better than before" and Selangor coach, and former Serbia assistant manager, Kinoshi backed him to show his prowess again."Faisal has been an important part of Selangor FC and Malaysia national team in the past and I am sure he will have that influence again at the club and international stage very soon."
Malay Mail
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Tottenham parade Europa League trophy in north London as 150,000 fans celebrate end of 17-year drought
LONDON, May 24 — Europa League winners Tottenham were saluted by around 150,000 ecstatic fans during an open-top bus parade through north London yesterday. Ange Postecoglou's side beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao on Wednesday to end the club's 17-year trophy drought. Brennan Johnson's first-half strike sealed Tottenham's first European silverware for 41 years, making amends for the team's dismal form in the Premier League this term. A white double-decker bus with 'Europa League winners' emblazoned on it carried Tottenham's players on an 'emotional' journey to their stadium. Jubilant supporters packed the streets to hail the players, with chants of 'glory, glory Tottenham Hotspur' echoing as the bus rolled past. Tottenham's South Korean captain Son Heung-min held the trophy aloft on the top deck of the bus as his team-mates proudly displayed their winners' medals and Postecoglou waved to fans. An estimated 150,000 supporters were expected for a parade that was due to last around 90 minutes. Tottenham players were seen partying in a London nightclub after arriving back from Bilbao. And Dutch defender Micky van de Ven soaked up the scene at the parade and said: 'Unbelievable man. Yeah I slept only a little bit since then. 'Emotional, so emotional. The season we've had, it was so difficult, but we got the trophy and we're so happy. I'm so proud of the boys. 'If you experience this, you want to do it over and over again. We're going to try to do the same beautiful things next season.' It was Tottenham's first trophy parade since winning their last FA Cup in 1991, while their last silverware came in the 2008 League Cup. Postecoglou's side are currently 17th in the Premier League, one place above the relegation zone, as they face up to their worst finish since 1976-77. But Graham Roberts -- a member of the Tottenham team that won the 1984 UEFA Cup -- backed his old club to chase more silverware now the trophy curse is over. 'This will give them belief now. All that pressure that was there, that's gone,' Roberts said. 'We have to strengthen our squad, but I think we have a great bunch of boys. 'They love Ange, they went round him, they cuddled him, they wanted him in the photos. The team spirit is there. 'We'll get more now, the rest will come. Wednesday was one of the greatest nights. I had tears in my eyes. The fans were magnificent. They deserve it.' — AFP
New York Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Why Europa League success secures Son Heung-min's legacy
Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League triumph was a magical night for everyone connected with the club, but perhaps for captain Son Heung-min more than anyone else. A Premier League runner-up in 2017, a Champions League finalist in 2019, and narrowly beaten 1-0 by Manchester City in the 2021 Carabao Cup final, the South Korean had nothing tangible to show for his incredible decade of service to Spurs. Advertisement But on Wednesday night in Bilbao, that long wait finally ended. With a winners' medal around his neck and the Europa League trophy held high, Son undoubtedly put all those demons of the past behind him. On the latest episode of The View From The Lane, Danny Kelly and Jay Harris reflected on how the victory further cemented Son's legendary status at Tottenham. This partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length. The full episode is available via the The View from the Lane feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Danny: We have to have a word about Son Heung-min. Because afterwards, there were some sweet interviews where he was talking about Harry Kane winning the Bundesliga, and he said, 'They're different trophies.' I think he was pointing out that one is not just the Bundesliga, it's actually a European trophy. But he's too nice to say that. However, after all that he's been through and, more importantly, after all that he's done for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, it was great to see Son get his hands on the heaviest trophy in world football, wasn't it Jay? To get the thing and lift it up was amazing, and that's when the tears really started with me. Jay: It was great to see. And being honest, it probably would have stung that he didn't start the game. He's the club captain, and as you said he's contributed so much over the last 10 years. Yet there he was watching on from the sidelines, although he still played his part when he came onto the pitch. It must be said that not just for Spurs, but for the Premier League as well, Son has been an absolute joy to watch over the past 10 years. And it would have been a real shame if he went down as a player who never tasted success, or who never won a trophy. So to have that moment undoubtedly secures his legacy in Tottenham's history. Not that it wasn't already secured, but it's just gone up to another level now. He's done something that Harry Kane didn't do, Luka Modric didn't do, and Gareth Bale didn't do. I know Spurs haven't won the Premier League, but I also think it secures him as a Premier League great if that makes sense. Advertisement Danny: It makes total sense, just look at his goals and assists. It's an astonishing record. Jay: It really is. And it was great to see him joking in those interviews after the game when it was said, 'You must be a legend now'. And he just sort of said, 'Oh, I don't know about that.' He's always been a very smiley character, but his smiles in all of those post-match scenes, the interviews, the videos, and everything — he just looked absolutely buzzing. It can't help but warm your heart when you see something like that. Danny: Also that embrace he had with James Maddison where he was crying into Maddison's hair and shirt really touched me, it was just incredible. Jay: Exactly. He and Ben Davies have been through some tough times together, and they're the only ones who are still there. They lost in 2019, and they've seen all their teammates leave for new challenges and go on to win things. But now they've done it too, it's just an incredible moment for him. He's had a difficult individual season, but that doesn't matter now. No one will care about that anymore, all that matters is that he helped Spurs win a trophy for the first time in 17 years. Danny: Well said, Jay. And as I've said many times, the age of five substitutes means it's a 16-person game, even though he will be disappointed not to have started. I was on American radio previewing the game, and they seemed bewildered that he wasn't starting because they like celebrities. And I said, 'You haven't seen him play all this season. And he's not entirely fit either, but he'll play his part.' Which he did, and it was just lovely to see him getting his hands on that trophy. Football's not about what you deserve, it's about what you get. People don't deserve anything because it's a competition, it's not an exhibition. But to see him get what I thought was his just deserts after a decade at the club was brilliant. And on top of everything else, he just works so hard. Apart from his brilliance over the years he works like a demon, so it was just great to see him get his hands on that trophy. Remember, you can listen to full episodes of The View from the Lane for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. (Top Photo:)
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
S. Korean FA says Son's European ‘milestone' shows country's strength
Tottenham's Son Heung-min became the first Asian player to captain a team to a European title yesterday. (AP pic) SEOUL : Son Heung-min 'showcased the strength' of South Korean football to the world by lifting the Europa League trophy with Tottenham, the country's FA said today. The 32-year-old forward became the first Asian player to captain a team to a European title when he helped Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao yesterday. Korea Football Association president Chung Mong-gyu said he had 'stayed up through the early hours' watching the final and cheering the national team captain to a 'historic milestone'. 'This triumph once again showcases the strength of Korean football on the global stage,' Chung wrote in a statement. 'As always, thank you for bringing such big joy and inspiration to the people of our football-loving nation. 'I offer my heartfelt congratulations and look forward to seeing you continue to write new chapters in the history of Korean football.' Son lifted the trophy – the first of his career – with a South Korean flag wrapped around his waist. Son joined Spurs from German side Bayer Leverkusen in 2015. He was the Premier League's joint-top scorer in the 2021-22 season along with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah on 23 goals. He said after yesterday's triumph that he had felt the pressure to deliver Tottenham's first trophy since 2008 after a number of near misses. 'I wanted it so badly,' said an emotional Son. 'The last seven days I was dreaming about this game every single day. Finally it happened, I can rest easy.' Witness football history in Malaysia as Manchester United take on the Asean All-Stars – it's the clash you can't afford to miss. Book your seat now at before they're gone!
Asharq Al-Awsat
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
UEFA Apologizes after Running Out of Medals During Europa League Final Ceremony
UEFA has apologized for running out of winners medals during the Europa League final trophy ceremony on Wednesday after more Tottenham Hotspur players than expected lined up to receive their individual prizes. Spurs captain Son Heung-min and two other players, the last to line up for individual medals, were left empty-handed after their team beat Manchester United 1-0 to win the club's fourth European title on Wednesday, Reuters reported. Son lifted the trophy without a medal around his neck. 'To our great displeasure, we did not have enough medals available on stage during the trophy ceremony presentation due to an unexpected discrepancy in the player count ..." British media quoted European soccer's governing body as saying on Thursday. "More team members – including injured players – participated in the ceremony than initially anticipated. 'The missing medals were promptly delivered to the winning team in the dressing room, along with our sincerest apologies for the oversight.'
