South Korean football following the Heung-min way

Creating stars: Son Woong-jung, father of South Korean star Son Heung-min, on the pitch with his students at the SON Football Academy in Chuncheon. — AFP

CHUNCHEON: As Son Heung-min’s career takes off in England, his legacy is already taking shape in South Korea – at an innovative academy where ball control is king and shooting is frowned upon.

The SON Football Academy in Heung-min’s native Chuncheon, run by his father Son Woong-jung, takes an unusual approach for South Korea where typically, training is strenuous and young players practise for up to eight hours a day.