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Son Heung-min military service blow as South Korea stunned by Malaysia in Asian Games

Tottenham winger must help South Korea triumph in the competition otherwise he faces two years of military service

Look away now Spurs fans.

Son Heung-min has been dealt a blow in his quest to avoid military exemption after South Korea lost 2-1 to Malaysia in the Asian Games.

The Tottenham winger, 26, came on as a second half substitute during the second match in Group E, but failed to help his side get a result.

South Korean winger Son Heung-min needs to win the Asian Games to be exempt from military service

Getty Images - Getty
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South Korean winger Son Heung-min needs to win the Asian Games to be exempt from military service

Tottenham ace Son could be facing two years of military service

Getty Images - Getty
4
Tottenham ace Son could be facing two years of military service

Failure to win the Asian Games would require Son to undergo two years of military service.

Under Korean law, all men must do 21 months of National Service before they turn 28.

South Korea are the defending champions of the tournament, having beat North Korea in the final four years ago.

Son’s former side Bayer Leverkusen refused to let the forward participate in the 2014 Asian Games in UAE.

Son, 26, started on the bench for the Group E defeat against Malaysia today

Getty Images - Getty
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Son, 26, started on the bench for the Group E defeat against Malaysia today

Former Bayer Leverkusen forward Son will surely be starting against Kyrgyzstan on Monday

Getty Images - Getty
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Former Bayer Leverkusen forward Son will surely be starting against Kyrgyzstan on Monday

But they are in danger of crashing out after Safawi Rasid netted a goal in either half, before Hwang Ui-jo pulled a goal back at the death.

And you can expect Son to be in the starting line when South Korea face Kyrgyzstan in their final group match on Monday.

Kyrgyzstan currently sit third in the group following their 2-2 draw against Bahrain, and know a win against South Korea would see them leapfrog their upcoming opponents.

Son came narrowly close to exemption from national service in 2015, but Korea lost against Australia in the final of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.


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