Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-Min. AFP
Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-Min. AFP
Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-Min. AFP
Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-Min. AFP

Sport

Football

Son Heung-min's versatility proving his true value for Tottenham

The South Korean is just as impressive standing in for Harry Kane as he is playing the No 7 role

Liliane Tannoury

August 28, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

When a football club asks an agent to find a No 7, it is apparent they looking for a winger or second striker. When they seek a No 9, it is obvious a striker is required.

Tottenham's Son Heung-Min might wear No 7, but we've now seen that the South Korean can fill the No 9 position just as well.

In Tottenham's opening Premier League game against Manchester City, without recognised centre-forward Harry Kane, manager Nuno Espirito Santo put Son in his place, and he proved he could play there much better than many specialists.

The No 7 shirt was always a symbol of a player roaming the open spaces, someone who deceives with unpredictable movements and appears in the shooting zone. Son has it all in his game, and Nuno must be delighted.

Son is not the most elegant player but he always leaves defenders trailing and, in the blink of an eye, he gains metres. He prefers to have space in front of him.

Armed with extraordinary speed and amazing dribbling ability, Son is two-footed and is fearsome on both sides of the attack. Versatile, he is able explore his pace and tricks anywhere along the frontline, including standing in for Kane.

Son has developed a fantastic partnership with Kane, and there is no doubt they must be regarded as one of the deadliest duos in the world. Now that Kane has confirmed he will stay at Tottenham, the pair will continue to be formidable.

Spurs v Manchester City player ratings

TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris: 6 - The goalkeeper had little to do but looked shaky on occasion when coming out to collect aerial deliveries.
TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris: 6 - The goalkeeper had little to do but looked shaky on occasion when coming out to collect aerial deliveries.
Japhet Tanganga: 9 - Tasked with keeping both Grealish and Sterling quiet, the youngster did his job well. He would often go tight to the two wingers, making sure he was aggressive to stop them before they had a chance to turn towards goal.
Japhet Tanganga: 9 - Tasked with keeping both Grealish and Sterling quiet, the youngster did his job well. He would often go tight to the two wingers, making sure he was aggressive to stop them before they had a chance to turn towards goal.
Davinson Sanchez: 8 - With a lot of the threat coming down his side, Sanchez sweeped up behind Tanganga well and denied City on many occasions.
Davinson Sanchez: 8 - With a lot of the threat coming down his side, Sanchez sweeped up behind Tanganga well and denied City on many occasions.
Eric Dier: 7 - Dier had a relatively comfortable game, leading well from the back and not having to make any last ditch efforts to keep his side from conceding.
Eric Dier: 7 - Dier had a relatively comfortable game, leading well from the back and not having to make any last ditch efforts to keep his side from conceding.
Sergio Reguilon: 7 - The left-back had the job of denying Mahrez from cutting in on his cultured left foot and did so on most occasions. He kept the winger quiet throughout but had few chances to go on the attack with his side.
Sergio Reguilon: 7 - The left-back had the job of denying Mahrez from cutting in on his cultured left foot and did so on most occasions. He kept the winger quiet throughout but had few chances to go on the attack with his side.
Oliver Skipp: 6 - Skipp had a shaky start to the game, much like his side on a whole. He made a few rash challenges to begin with but he grew into the game as it wore on.
Oliver Skipp: 6 - Skipp had a shaky start to the game, much like his side on a whole. He made a few rash challenges to begin with but he grew into the game as it wore on.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 7 - The Danish international continued his good form from last season, controlling the midfield well both on and off the ball.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 7 - The Danish international continued his good form from last season, controlling the midfield well both on and off the ball.
Steven Bergwijn: 6 - The winger was the quieter of a front three that caused problems for City on the counter but he still looked dangerous when given a chance to run into space.
Steven Bergwijn: 6 - The winger was the quieter of a front three that caused problems for City on the counter but he still looked dangerous when given a chance to run into space.
Dele Alli: 7 - The midfielder had little impact earlt in the game but grew in influence, picking up the occasional pocket of space and launching counters.
Dele Alli: 7 - The midfielder had little impact earlt in the game but grew in influence, picking up the occasional pocket of space and launching counters.
Lucas Moura: 7 - The 29-year-old was a big asset to Spurs on the counter. He would often drive his team forward after picking up the ball in the midfield to start an attack.
Lucas Moura: 7 - The 29-year-old was a big asset to Spurs on the counter. He would often drive his team forward after picking up the ball in the midfield to start an attack.
Son Heung-Min: 8 - The forward started the game apprehensively, not taking on his man one-on-one. However, his influence grew in the game and he rounded it off with a great finish from the edge of the box.
Son Heung-Min: 8 - The forward started the game apprehensively, not taking on his man one-on-one. However, his influence grew in the game and he rounded it off with a great finish from the edge of the box.
SUBS: Giovani Lo Celso (For Bergwijn 77’): N/A - The midfielder came on to bolster their bodies in the middle of the park as Tottenham looked to see out the game. He pressed well, being the fresher of the midfield trio.
SUBS: Giovani Lo Celso (For Bergwijn 77’): N/A - The midfielder came on to bolster their bodies in the middle of the park as Tottenham looked to see out the game. He pressed well, being the fresher of the midfield trio.
Matt Doherty (For Tanganga 83’): N/A - Doherty slotted into right-back for the dying embers of the game. He didn’t put a foot wrong, ushering Grealish on his side well.
Matt Doherty (For Tanganga 83’): N/A - Doherty slotted into right-back for the dying embers of the game. He didn’t put a foot wrong, ushering Grealish on his side well.
Cristian Romero (For Hojbjerg 89’): N/A - Romero made his debut from the bench for the injured Hojbjerg as he helped his side get over the line for the victory.
Cristian Romero (For Hojbjerg 89’): N/A - Romero made his debut from the bench for the injured Hojbjerg as he helped his side get over the line for the victory.
MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson: 4 - The goalkeeper had little to do but could and should have done more to deny Son’s goal from the edge of the box. Instead, he didn’t move as the home side took the lead.
MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson: 4 - The goalkeeper had little to do but could and should have done more to deny Son’s goal from the edge of the box. Instead, he didn’t move as the home side took the lead.
Benjamin Mendy: 4 - The left-back was often caught out defensively in transition when Spurs looked to counter. A lot of the space was on his side where he wasn’t tracking back. He also offered little in an attacking sense during the game.
Benjamin Mendy: 4 - The left-back was often caught out defensively in transition when Spurs looked to counter. A lot of the space was on his side where he wasn’t tracking back. He also offered little in an attacking sense during the game.
Nathan Ake: 5 - With a lot of the threat down his side, Ake started well to deny Spurs on a few occasions but showed Son inside for his strike, allowing the forward to move the ball onto his left to score.
Nathan Ake: 5 - With a lot of the threat down his side, Ake started well to deny Spurs on a few occasions but showed Son inside for his strike, allowing the forward to move the ball onto his left to score.
Ruben Dias: 6 - The centre-back mainly had to cover and sweep up when dealing with counter attacks, making a few clearances and blocks when called upon for his side.
Ruben Dias: 6 - The centre-back mainly had to cover and sweep up when dealing with counter attacks, making a few clearances and blocks when called upon for his side.
Joao Cancelo: 7 - The right-back looked the most assured of the back line in defence and attack. He won the majority of his duels and looked threatening when bringing the ball forward.
Joao Cancelo: 7 - The right-back looked the most assured of the back line in defence and attack. He won the majority of his duels and looked threatening when bringing the ball forward.
Ilkay Gundogan: 6 - Made a key block in the first half to deny Tottenham from taking the lead but his forays up the pitch often left his midfield partner stranded when hit on the counter.
Ilkay Gundogan: 6 - Made a key block in the first half to deny Tottenham from taking the lead but his forays up the pitch often left his midfield partner stranded when hit on the counter.
Fernandinho: 7 - The ball-winning midfielder did what he did best to stop the Tottenham counter, making crucial interceptions on several occasions.
Fernandinho: 7 - The ball-winning midfielder did what he did best to stop the Tottenham counter, making crucial interceptions on several occasions.
Jack Grealish: 6 - On his Premier League debut for Manchester City, Grealish showed glimpses of what he can do, bursting into the box with danger and intent. However, he struggled to find some end product.
Jack Grealish: 6 - On his Premier League debut for Manchester City, Grealish showed glimpses of what he can do, bursting into the box with danger and intent. However, he struggled to find some end product.
Raheem Sterling: 5 - On the back of an impressive summer with England, Sterling wasn’t able to replicate the form he showed at the Euros. He got into a few dangerous positions but couldn’t drive his team forward when they needed it most.
Raheem Sterling: 5 - On the back of an impressive summer with England, Sterling wasn’t able to replicate the form he showed at the Euros. He got into a few dangerous positions but couldn’t drive his team forward when they needed it most.
Ferran Torres: 5 -The makeshift striker looked proactive in his approach, covering a lot of space, but unable to make chances count when he got a good opportunity to score.
Ferran Torres: 5 -The makeshift striker looked proactive in his approach, covering a lot of space, but unable to make chances count when he got a good opportunity to score.
Riyad Mahrez: 6 - Had a quiet game for his club with a lot of the play going down the opposite flank. He tried to cut in on a few occasions to no avail but he still looked a threat before being subbed off.
Riyad Mahrez: 6 - Had a quiet game for his club with a lot of the play going down the opposite flank. He tried to cut in on a few occasions to no avail but he still looked a threat before being subbed off.
SUBS: Gabriel Jesus (For Sterling 70‘): 5 - Had little service after coming on in an attempt to change the game for Pep Guardiola. He wasn’t able to have a direct impact in the final third.
SUBS: Gabriel Jesus (For Sterling 70‘): 5 - Had little service after coming on in an attempt to change the game for Pep Guardiola. He wasn’t able to have a direct impact in the final third.
Kevin De Bruyne (For Mahrez 80’): N/A - Following a summer of international football with Belgium, De Bruyne wasn’t fully fit to start but was hoping to make an impact when called off the bench. He had little time to do so.
Kevin De Bruyne (For Mahrez 80’): N/A - Following a summer of international football with Belgium, De Bruyne wasn’t fully fit to start but was hoping to make an impact when called off the bench. He had little time to do so.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (For Mendy 80’): N/R - Replaced Mendy as they looked to come back. He couldn’t have the desired impact, crossing from poor positions.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (For Mendy 80’): N/R - Replaced Mendy as they looked to come back. He couldn’t have the desired impact, crossing from poor positions.

This South Korean landed in Hamburg in 2008 at the age of 16. After a few years he joined Bayer Leverkusen for the 2013/14 campaign, where he spent two seasons before his move to Tottenham in 2015 and has just renewed his contract until 2025.

Upon his arrival in London, Son became a fan favourite both for his skills on the field, but also for his personality and serenity and his beaming smile.

It is surprising that, in recent years, the name Son Heung-Min has rarely been linked with the biggest teams in world football.

Maybe now with his prowess proven anywhere in the attack, things will change.

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50

Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)

if you go

The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

When to visit

March-May and September-November

Visas

Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

The bio

Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sav%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Purvi%20Munot%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24750%2C000%20as%20of%20March%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
You might also like
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

While you're here
While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Director: Venkat Prabhu
Rating: 2/5
How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

Price, base: Dh1,731,672

Engine: 6.5-litre V12

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm

Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm

Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km

UAE jiu-jitsu squad

Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)

Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0-litre%20six-cylinder%20turbo%20(BMW%20B58)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20340hp%20at%206%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20500Nm%20from%201%2C600-4%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20ZF%208-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100kph%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.2sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20267kph%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh462%2C189%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWarranty%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030-month%2F48%2C000k%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
On Women's Day
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal

Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.

School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.

“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.  

“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”

Updated: August 28, 2021, 6:45 AM`
Premier LeagueTottenham Hotspur