Son Joon-Ho: Is the rising Pohang Steelers star about to become a Taeguk Warrior?

The 23 year-old is in his second season at Pohang Steelers, having made his debut in 2014. He plays in central midfield and wears the number 28 shirt. He notched up twenty-five appearances in the 2014 season scoring one goal. The midfielder has made a bright start to his second season at the club, scoring five goals in ten appearances.

His stand-out performance was in Pohang’s 4-1 win over Jeonnam Dragons in April, where he scored two goals early in the second half to seal the victory for Pohang, the second of which was a nice drive across the goal into the far corner to finish a move that he started in his own half with a clever chipped pass. His other goals were in the first two matches of the season and a penalty in the recent 2-2 draw against Seongnam.

Pohang led that game 2-0 until the last minute when a defensive collapse led them to concede two late goals. A downside to Son Joon-Ho’s game is his tendency to pick up yellow cards, he received seven bookings last season and one red card for a second bookable offense, this campaign he has already received three bookings.

Son Joon-Ho started his career at Youngnam University before moving to Pohang Steelers. He is yet to break into the full national team, but has been capped six times at under-23 level.

His finest hour for the national team came when he played in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games final against North Korea. South Korea won that game 1-0 with a headed goal by Lim Chang-Woo in the last minute of extra time. The victory brought Son Joon-Ho an Asian Games gold medal, and with it exemption from the career ruining mandatory military service.

If Son Joon-Ho keeps improving like he has done over the last two seasons, it won’t be long before he earns a full national team call-up and possibly a move abroad.

 

Written by Steven Price

Check out more of his work on everything South Korean football at the excellent K-League Footy

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