The best star of the Asian Cup is Son Heung-min

"OPTA," a media outlet specializing in soccer statistics, picked Son Heung-min as one of the "six players to watch at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2023" on the 11th (Korea time).


"Son Heung-min is the best soccer player in Asia that many people come to mind first. He became the first Asian player to become the top scorer in one of the top five European leagues when he scored 23 goals along with Mohamed Salah in the 2021-2022 season in the English Premier League. He is definitely the greatest player in Asia. However, there is one thing that is missing. It is the trophy."


"The Asian Cup is Son's best chance to win a trophy. He tried three times with the Korean national team in 2011, 2015 and 2019, but has yet to win a trophy. In 2015, current Tottenham manager Angie Postecoglou stopped Son from winning. At the time, Australia won the Taegeuk Warriors 2-1, stressing to Son that this was his first chance to win the trophy."


Son Heung-min was disappointed in the 2019 event. He joined the national team from the match against China, the third group match. However, it did not stop Korea from falling to Qatar in the quarterfinals. During the three matches, Son recorded only two shots on goal. He also failed to record a goal and finished the tournament.


However, expectations are high ahead of this year's event. Son has recently displayed his best scoring performance at his club Tottenham Hotspur. He has 12 goals and five assists this season, tying for second in the league's scoring rankings. Notably, he had four goals and four assists during the month of December, being nominated for the Player of the Month award. It is certainly good news that he had an upward trajectory right before the Asian Cup.


The media also said, "Son has scored more goals than expected (xG). Son's expected score is 7.1 goals, but he actually scored about five more goals than expected with 12 goals. He is the biggest xG in the league. He emphasizes how deadly he is in front of the goalpost."


In addition to scoring goals, Son is the most threatening player in the final third. Son has made the most through passes in dangerous areas this season. He has created the most opportunities in open play after Salah.


'OPTA' added, "Considering his talent and two threats in attack, leadership and experience, Son Heung-min is a player who can lead the team to glory."

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