It was expected in fairness, but Tottenham Hotspur confirmed the other day that attacker Son Heung-Min has received the call from South Korea for their New Year AFC Asian Cup clashes.
🇰🇷Sonny has been called up to the South Korea squad for the AFC Asian Cup in January 2019.
He will join up with the squad following our match against Manchester United on Sunday 13 January.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 20, 2018
The tournament takes place in the United Arab Emirates in January and features 24 countries from across Asia. Depending on how South Korea perform in the competition, Sonny will be missing from January 14 until potentially February 1.
Spurs have confirmed that the 26-year-old will be travelling off on duty following our clash against Manchester United in front of the Premier League cameras on Sunday, January 13 so at least he remains in contention for the clashes ahead of that as I would’ve expected he’d have been joining them for their opening game in the competition.
A small bonus at least from our perspective.
Having lifted the Gold medal previously for his country with national service being on the line, they’ll no doubt be hoping for success in this tournament as well and plenty of fans have wished him well.
Oh no. It's happening. Give this man some rest ????
Whatever, Good Luck Sonny! pic.twitter.com/qDheFhMCkd—  (@RyanMasxn8_) December 20, 2018
As a Korean citizen and also Spurs’ fan, I feel sorry to other Spurs’ fans. But our national team need Sonny! He is the captain of our team. Korea did not get the AFC Champion for 59yrs. But finally our national team got the best squad! Please wish Korea to be champ! With Sonny!!
— cho_i_c_e_ (@Fly4anp) December 20, 2018
Big loss, but hope him come back with another trophy and without any injury. pic.twitter.com/yocfO1eFkY
— Beekeeper (@RachelS16548016) December 20, 2018
Good luck Sonny
— Sami (@samithfc) December 20, 2018
Enjoy it Sonny… Nice one Son.
— Marlon The Writer (@Brother_Marlon) December 20, 2018
He'll be a Big miss for us..but good luck Son
— H Patterson (@theduke20011) December 20, 2018
Plenty are irritated that another international competition gets in the way it’s fair to say.