(World Cup) Son Heung-min eyes history vs. Mexico

ZAPOPAN, Mexico, June 18 (Yonhap) — South Korean captain Son Heung-min is in the starting lineup for his second straight match at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Mexico as he takes aim at a piece of history.

Son will be the striker against Mexico in the teams’ second Group A match at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico, for the 7 p.m. kickoff. It will begin 10 a.m. Friday in South Korea.

Son is a goal away from becoming South Korea’s all-time World Cup leading scorer with four. He is currently tied with two former players, Ahn Jung-hwan and Park Ji-sung.

Son had a slew of chances but ultimately didn’t find the back of the net in a 2-1 victory over Czechia last week.

Oh Hyeon-gyu, who netted the go-ahead goal over Czechia after replacing Son in the second half, will begin his second straight contest on the bench.

Head coach Hong Myung-bo made one change from the lineup that started against Czechia, with wingback Kim Moon-hwan replacing Lee Tae-seok. Seol Young-woo, who played on the right side in last week’s match, will slide over to the left side as Kim takes over on the right.

The winner of this match will be the Group A winner with a game to spare and become the first team to clinch a knockout spot at this year’s tournament.

For Mexico, captain Edson Alvarez drew into the starting lineup on defense in the absence of Cesar Montes, who was sent off in their 2-0 win over South Africa last week and was automatically suspended for this match.

Raul Jimenez and Julian Quinones, the two goal scorers against South Africa, will once again lead the Mexican attack.