Stielike agonizes over how to use Son Heung-min to grab first Asian Cup title

How to take advantage of Son Heung-min (Bayern Leverkusen) is a heated topic ahead of the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia. Korean national football team coach Uli Stielike has been agonized over the lack of goal decisiveness and is considering using right/left winger Son as front-line attacker.

However, Son says he wants left/right wing position. The Korean national team has to score as many goals as possible to win the upcoming Asian Cup. If it’s successful, it will be able to grab its first win in 55 years since 1972. The problem is that the incumbent team lacks good strikers. Son made 12 goals in last season in Bundesliga and 11 this season, leading to many saying that Son should be used as front line striker. Experts meanwhile say it`s better to place Son as winger, his current position.

Former national team coach Huh Jung-moo who led the national team to qualify for the round of 16 at the 2010 South African World Cup, the first ever 16 round qualification for the Korean national football team, said Son has improved speed and pass capability, as well as goal decisiveness. However, he added, "Son moves regardless of given position and scores at a critical moment. If Son is fixed as one-top, rival teams will prepare for it, and this can decrease the effect."

Another former national team coach Cho Kwang-rae (2010-2011) shared Huh`s view. Cho said, "Son has been playing as left and right winger and made chances for goal. He will feel more comfortable with it." He added, "Son tends to move freely, and it would be proper to give Son and surrounding players clear roles. If Son`s position and others` mix and become entangled, the game can end in a complete disaster."

FC Seoul Coach Choi Yong-su who was formerly a front-line attacker also opposes to Son being a typical one-top striker who has to engage in tough body struggle and kick ball in air. Choi recommended splitting role of Son if he is placed as front striker. "Using Son and Lee Geun-ho (El Jaish) as two-top is an option," he said. He hinted that if the two play as front line strikers they can make chances by disturbing rival players since they are good in space and making rooms.

Meanwhile, KBSN commentator Kim Dae-gil said, "The national team has many players to use as left and right wingers including Lee Chung-yong (Bolton), Kim Min-woo(Sagan Tosu), Han Kyo-won (Jeonbuk) and Nam Tae-hee (Lekhwiya). So it can be effective to place Son as one-top and let him focus on scoring goals."

Stielike will test variously at the friendly match with Saudi Arabian team in Sydney, Australia on January 4 next year, before making final decision on Son.