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Agence France-Presse

Son Heung-min will be able to play in South Korea’s opening World Cup match against Uruguay on Thursday despite wearing a mask after facial surgery, coach Paulo Bento said.
The Spurs attacker and South Korean skipper had surgery earlier this month after suffering a fracture around his left eye in a collision during a Champions League game.
“Son can play and will be able to play,” Bento said on Wednesday.
It remains to be seen to what extent the South Korean talisman features, with the Portuguese boss cautioning: “He knows and we know that after this injury we cannot take any risks.”

Bento insisted the mask was “natural” for the player, who has scored 35 times in more than 100 internationals and shared the Premier League Golden Boot last season with Liverpool’s Mo Salah.
“The fact he will be wearing a mask is not inconvenient for him,” said Bento.
“We have stuck to the plan since we arrived here, also the way we integrated him into our group shows he has been natural.
“We will see tomorrow how it will be. Our hope is that he will feel comfortable as far as possible.”
Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan is, however, unlikely to feature because of a hamstring problem.

Uruguay, who boast veteran attackers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, plus younger talents such as Federico Valverde and Darwin Nunez, will be favourites to win the opening Group H match.
But coach Diego Alonso said the two-time winners would be wary of South Korea whether Son is involved.
“Obviously Korea do not only have this player,” he said. “I have lots of respect for Son, but Korea also have other players, they are very well trained, have a good coach, a very good XI, we respect everyone.”
Download your free Fifa World Cup 2022 wall chart
After Lionel Messi’s Argentina were on the end of a shock loss to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, veteran captain Diego Godin said Uruguay would have to “tread carefully”.
The Koreans reached the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup, which they jointly hosted with Japan, but failed to get beyond the group stage at the past two tournaments.
“We have a lot of respect for our opponents, we know we’re up against a great team,” said Godin. “They’re very competitive, they’re very dynamic, with good individual players who also have a particular way of playing.”
The 36-year-old is one of a number of veterans for Uruguay playing in their fourth World Cup, alongside Cavani, Suarez, Fernando Muslera and Martin Caceres.
But they also have impressive Real Madrid star Valverde and fellow midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, Son’s teammate at Tottenham.
In the other Group H game on Thursday, Ghana face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.


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Fifa World Cup 2022

Fifa World Cup: Son Heung-min fit to play in South Korea’s opener against Uruguay, says coach

Son Heung-min takes part in a training session on the eve of his match against Uruguay. Photo: AFP

At one training session in Doha the mask appeared to be troubling Son as he went through fitness drills with the rest of the squad. Photo: Reuters

Uruguay put the finishing touches on their World Cup preparation. Photo: AFP

Fifa World Cup 2022: Japan stun Germany 2-1 in another huge Qatar upset

Japan’s Takuma Asano celebrates scoring their second goal against Germany at the 2022 Fifa World Cup. Photo: Reuters

Germany players cover their mouths as they pose for the team photo. Photo: dpa

Japan players celebrate after Takuma Asano scores his side’s second goal during the World Cup group E match against Germany. Photo: AP

Germany’s Ilkay Gundogan (second right) celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal. Photo: AP

Maskless World Cup scenes spark anger as Weibo users ask if China is ‘on the same planet’ as Qatar

People wearing face masks walk by a closed restaurant displaying World Cup posters. Photo: AP

Images like this have stirred debate and criticism of China’s zero-Covid approach on Chinese social media. Photo: AP

Fifa World Cup 2022: Stunning Spain thrash Costa Rica 7-0 to join 100 club

Gavi (left) and Jose Gaya of Spain celebrate during the Group E match between Spain and Costa Rica at the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Doha on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

Spain’s Dani Olmo (right) jumps over Costa Rica’s goalkeeper Keylor Navas to score his side’s first goal during the World Cup group E soccer match between Spain and Costa Rica at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Costa Rica’s Keysher Fuller (centre) reacts after the Fifa World Cup 2022 group E soccer match between Spain and Costa Rica at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Fifa World Cup 2022: live scores, results, fixtures, group standings, and knockout stages

Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma, Wataru Endo and Daichi Kamada celebrate after beating Germany. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football


The 30-year-old Son has been training in Qatar in a mask and South Korean fans have been eagerly awaiting updates on his fitness
Uruguay, who boast veteran attackers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani will be favourites to win the opening Group H match



The 30-year-old Son has been training in Qatar in a mask and South Korean fans have been eagerly awaiting updates on his fitness.


Son Heung-min

Fifa World Cup: Son Heung-min fit to play in South Korea’s opener against Uruguay, says coach

The 30-year-old Son has been training in Qatar in a mask and South Korean fans have been eagerly awaiting updates on his fitness Uruguay, who boast veteran attackers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani will be favourites to win the opening Group H match

The 30-year-old Son has been training in Qatar in a mask and South Korean fans have been eagerly awaiting updates on his fitness

Uruguay, who boast veteran attackers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani will be favourites to win the opening Group H match