Tottenham will unfortunately be without South Korean star Heung-Min Son as they march out onto the Old Trafford pitch tonight, but there could be good news on the horizon.
Son is away at the Asia games with his home country, which is a huge loss to Spurs… unless he wins the gold medal.
South Korea citizens are required to do two years of military service before they turn 28, and win Son at age 26, it could be in his very near future.
This would mean that Spurs would lose one of their star men for a full two seasons.
However, South Korea have announced that they will reward exemption to the entire squad if they can go on and win the gold medal at the games.
After easing past Iran 2-0 on Thursday, Son and Korea faced a tough Uzbekistan in the quarter finals.
Korea led 2-1 at the break, but Uzbekistan managed to turn it around, leading 3-2 into the 75th minute.
It looked as if Son’s journey could come to an end, when teammate Ui-Jo Hwang kept cool and equalised with 15 minutes remaining.
South Korea then somehow avoided a penalty shootout when forward Hee-chan Hwang scored the late winner, only three minutes from the end of extra-time, sending Korea through with a 4-3 win.
They will now play either Syria or Vietnam in the semi-final on Wednesday.
The final will be played on Saturday September 1, meaning that Son will miss the clash with Watford at Vicarage Road the next day.
But it will all be worth it if he brings home that gold medal.
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