The Tottenham Hotspur forward, who turned 26 recently, will make his first appearance in the Asian Games as one of their ‘wild card’ members and is joined by goalkeeper Jo-Hyeon-woo, who impressed at the recently concluded 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, alongside Gamba Osaka’s Hwang Ui-jo.
The squad also includes Lee Seung-woo of Hellas Verona and Red Bull Salzburg’s Hwang Hee-chan, who also represented Korea Republic at Russia 2018.
Son scored two goals in Russia and although the Taeguk Warriors failed to progress to the Round of 16, they made headlines after stunning 2014 World Cup champions Germany 2-0 to finish third in Group F.
Son will look to help Korea Republic defend the gold medal won in 2014 on August 14 to September 1 in Jakarta and Palembang.
Meanwhile, Chelsea Ladies forward Ji will headline the 20-player squad for the women’s football competition on August 16-31.
Ji is Korea Republic’s all-time leading scorer with 45 goals from 103 appearances. Cho So-hyun with 112 caps, and Jeon Ga-eul who has 35 goals from 91 matches, also made the list.
Seventeen of the 20 players competed in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 last April, where Korea Republic finished fifth and secured a spot at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France next June.
Led by head coach Yoon Deok-yeo, the Taeguk Ladies are paired with hosts Indonesia, Chinese Taipei and Maldives in Group A.
Defending champions DPR Korea are in Group B with China PR, Hong Kong and Tajikistan. Group C features Japan, Vietnam and Thailand, who recently claimed their fourth AFF Women’s Championship title.
The Taeguk ladies have yet to win a gold medal at the Asian Games but finished on bronze in the last two editions.
Yoon’s charges will begin training at the National Football Center in Paju on July 30 and will travel to Indonesia on August 13.
“Our goal is change the colour of the medal we had achieved at the Incheon Asian Games four years ago,” Yoon said. “We will try to meet the fans’ expectations.
The 57-year-old further revealed that the humidity and hot weather could influence their performance, but vowed that his players would overcome those difficulties.
“We have experienced players like Ji and Cho, so I’m sure they’ll cope with the weather conditions.
“Women’s football in Asia is at a high level, and I’m not going to say we are certain to win gold. We will probably meet Japan in the semi-finals and that would be the key match. We’re confident and if we can prepare thoroughly, we will have better results that what we achieved at Incheon 2014.”
Sources: yonhapnews.co.kr, FIFA via Getty Images
Source: the-afc.com