Just headlines as the Tavern is on the go today – on Sunday in case you missed it, Seongnam, despite the weight of 7 top flight titles in the K-League, goes down in bitter defeat to Gangwon in the 2nd leg of the promotion/relegation playoff. Gangwon returns to the big time, having managed to keep Seongnam at bay last week in the first leg with a 0-0 result. Sunday’s final leg’s critical play went down like this according to Yonhap: Heo Beom-san threaded a fine pass to Han Seok-jong, who lobbed the ball over Seongnam goalkeeper Kim Keun-bae in the box to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Tragically for Seongnam, despite Hwang Jin-sung scoring an equalizing goal late in the 2nd half, the 1-1 draw wasn’t enough as Gangwon’s lone away goal the the Tancheon was enough to send them on up.
We do have a proper roundup on the way, but if you were away from social media for the last several days, you might not have known Son Heung-Min played an enormous impact as a 72nd minute substitution, with Spurs struggling against West Ham with a 2-1 deficit at White Hart Lane. Son was crackling every time he had possession, and finally in the 89th minute, his penetrating run in behind allowed him to get a cross that fell right at Harry Kane’s feet. The Englishman did not miss and while Spurs supporters would’ve been happy with a 2-2 draw, Son and company weren’t done yet. A mere minute later and Son was at it again, with absolute menace, dribbled once again to the touchline – and deftly earned a penalty kick with Havard Nordtveit sweeping in with his feet and knocking Son over. Kane converted and a dramatic comeback have given Spurs a boost – staying within 4 points of the top and momentum before today’s Champions League fixture against Monaco. Spurs moments ago announced the starting XI and Son will start once again. In the US, the 2:45pm kickoff is being televised live on FS1.
One quick note: while Son probably wasn’t eligble for MotM with his 20 minutes on the pitch, his work hadn’t gone unnoticed, both from Spurs support and from pundits like Rio Ferdinand. The former Man U defender praised Son’s impact in the game for BT Sport saying he turned the game around when Spurs were staring at their first defeat in the league.
We’re concluding this quick post for now – we might return to update, but I leave you with this series of tweets from the relegation/promotion battle:
Unreal: Gangwon pulled off the upset, won promotion w/ this 1st half goal against Seongnam! The hosts couldn't find way back in, relegated! https://t.co/BD3opg5J63
— The Old Tavern Owner (@taeguk_warrior) November 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/ModernSeoul/status/800247136143097857
Son was a frustrating thing to watch against Monaco. He could have saved the team, but it wasn’t his day.
My sources have told me KJC to China (Shandong) is confirmed this January. Team is coached by former Bundesliga coach.
There’s some criticism floating around on Son’s blown scoring chance against the goalkeeper vs. Monaco.
I didn’t get to see that game on dvr yet- but from what I heard – it appeared his confidence waned after that missed opportunity.