[Breaking] Son Heung-min surpasses Cha Boom! Stunning free kick brings his 59th international goal ... a new chapter in South Korean football

[Financial News]  'Captain' Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) has finally etched his name alone at the summit of South Korean football. He scored a historic 59th goal, surpassing the remarkable record of legendary former national team coach Cha Bum-kun.
Son blasted in a thunderous opening goal just six minutes into the first half in the final friendly against Uzbekistan in the September-October four-match international series, held on the 6th at Yongin Mireu Stadium.
The way he scored was the very embodiment of an ace's class. From a free kick won just outside the penalty area, the ball off Son's right foot, as he stepped up to take it, traced a beautiful arc and flew into Uzbekistan's net. It was a perfectly executed, cathartic blast that instantly swept away the criticism of the national team's poor performances and the frustration surrounding it in recent times.
With this goal, Son built an unprecedented landmark in South Korean football history. Scoring his 59th goal in his 151st international appearance, he rose alone to No. 1 in the all-time record for most goals by a South Korean man in A internationals, moving past former coach Cha Bum-kun (136 appearances, 58 goals), with whom he had been level.
After scoring his 57th goal against Ecuador and his 58th against Uruguay to draw level with Cha, Son put the disappointment of the 0-0 draw against Venezuela behind him and finally became the record-breaking scorer in front of the home fans.
Despite all manner of setbacks on and off the pitch and the uncertainty surrounding Moreno's team, the ace quietly rewrote his country's football history with his own feet. That spectacular free kick from Son in the sixth minute of the first half sent Yongin Mireu Stadium into a frenzy.
Meanwhile, the combined record for most goals in A internationals by South Korea's men's and women's national teams, including women's players, belongs to Ji So-yun (Suwon FC Women), with 76 goals in 182 appearances.
[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter