U.S. coach on ex-player Son Heung-min: 'He's like my son'

SEOUL, Sept. 7 (Yonhap) -- Before his U.S. men's national football team took on South Korea, head coach Mauricio Pochettino shared a moment with his former player at Tottenham Hotspur and current South Korean captain Son Heung-min.

The two smiled and embraced each other while exchanging a few words before the kickoff at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, on Saturday (local time). Son then turned around and almost singlehandedly helped South Korea beat Pochettino's team, scoring a goal and setting up another in a 2-0 win.

Pochettino said afterward his defenders were "passive" when trying to contain Son.

"We struggled to control the space behind the defensive line, and the two actions that produced the goal were because we were a little bit passive and we showed a little bit lack of communication," the Argentine tactician said. "And we are talking about facing players like Son Heung-min that is one of the best strikers in the world."

Pochettino said the U.S. played much better in the second half, noting that they only conceded one shot on target after the restart.

"I think overall, we were better than South Korea," he said. "But then if you are not clinical in your own area and in the opposite box, it's difficult. I think we started the game in a very good way but we conceded in a way that we should not concede."

Pochettino, who coached Tottenham from 2014 to 2019, was the first Premier League boss for Son, who was with the North London club from 2015 to August this year.

On their prematch meeting, Pochettino said, "We said hello. His English is amazing but he's learning Spanish."

The coach then quipped, "He's like my kid. Son Heung-min is like my son."

Son said meeting his former coach is always a special occasion, regardless of what or how much they say to each other.

"I think we will always have a special connection," Son said. "We just asked each other how we've been and how our families are doing. It wasn't much but it's still a special occasion whenever we see each other."

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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