February 21st news, previously, the British media took the lead in exposing the internal strife in the South Korean team. Son Heung-min dislocated his finger during the conflict with Lee Gang-in. On February 21, Li Gangren formally apologized to Sun Heung-min on social media, and Sun Heung-min also posted a photo of Li Gangren coming to apologize, expressing the hope that everyone would forgive him.
Subsequently, many Korean media published articles disclosing the details of the conflict between the Korean teams. At a dinner party the night before the match between South Korea and Jordan, several young international players such as Li Gangren, Xue Yingyou, and Zheng Youying went to play table tennis after dinner. Players who were having dinner later heard the noise coming from Li Gangren and others playing ball. Sun Xingmin thought "this won't work" and tried to stop it, but the other party did not listen to the dissuasion.
Angry Son Heung-min grabbed Li Gangren's collar. Li Gangren fought back with his fist, but Son Heung-min dodged. While other players were trying to break up the fight, Son Heung-min dislocated his finger.
Afterwards, Son Heung-min and others approached head coach Klinsmann and requested that Li Gangren be kicked off the roster in the first game in Jordan. But Klinsmann still chose Li Gangren to start, and the Korean team was eliminated.
During the Asian Cup, due to my short-sightedness and reckless behavior, I let down Brother Xingmin, the entire team and the fans.
I think it is very important to visit Heung-min in person and sincerely apologize. Through a long conversation, I understood the responsibility that I have as a captain and reflected on myself. I would like to thank Xingmin hyung again for meeting me in London.
I know how important this competition is for Xingmin, but I didn't realize the importance. This is the root of the problem. Especially as the captain, brother, and teammate, Heung-min gave me a lot of advice, but I didn't listen carefully.
After dinner that night, I did something I should never do. Now that I think about it, I definitely shouldn’t have done it, and I deeply regret it.
Respect and dedication are the most important to the team, but I still have a lot to be desired. I took the initiative to contact Guodu’s seniors and teammates and apologized to them.
We once again apologize to the disappointed fans. We have deviated from our exemplary image and responsibilities as members of the Korean team and received undue expectations and support. I'm going to try to be a better football player and a better person.
After Son Heung-min met with Lee Gang-in in London, he turned hostility into friendship. Son Heung-min posted a photo of the two on social media and posted a long post saying:
Hello everyone, I am Son Heung-min.
Gangren has sincerely reflected and sincerely apologized to all national team members, including me. In order to prevent Gangren from making mistakes, all our team members as seniors pay special attention to him and help him grow into a better player and a better person.
I think my behavior at that time is not something to be boasted about and should be criticized. But I think it's part of my responsibility as captain to sometimes have to make unpopular decisions.
Since that incident, Gangren has gone through a very difficult period. Please forgive him once with a tolerant heart.
In addition, some rumors about the national team forming cliques are not true. We have always tried to treat the team as a whole. Once again, as the captain of the Korean team, I sincerely apologize to everyone.
In response to this, netizens said, "You have failed to usurp the throne. Wait until the opportunity comes before stepping back."
"No matter what the reason is, you can dislocate Senior Sun's fingers, but your hair is not damaged. First of all, you are in the wrong."
"This I think the apology can still be seen as sincere, unlike someone"
"I let Son Heung-min and everyone down, and Son Heung-min and I let everyone down. This is a big difference"
"Team Sun made no mistakes this time, there is a pattern "
"Klinsmann: You are all right, I am the only one who is wrong"
"The sense of superiority and inferiority in Korean society is still very strong"
"Gang In has gone through a very difficult period, and he has suffered from every teammate friction...”
