# '12 goals and 5 assists in 20 games' Son Heung-min worried about Asian Cup exclusion

"Just like Harry Kane, Tottenham are now without Son Heung-min." Tottenham captain Son Heung-min is expected to be out for more than a month after being called up for the Asian Cup. This has caused great concern in England.

Tottenham Hotspur defeated Bournemouth 3-1 in the 20th round of the 2023-24 Premier League (PL) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, at 11 p.m. ET on Aug. 31. With the three points, Spurs sit fifth in the league with 39 points.

Son ended the year on a high note, scoring his 12th league goal in the final game of 2023. He is currently tied for second in the league in goals with Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) and Solanke (Bournemouth). The top spot is held by Manchester City's Elling Holland (14 goals).

Heung-min also sent his New Year's greetings on social media on January 1, writing, "Three points at home to close out the year. It's been a year of special moments and growth, and we're in a really exciting place as a team. I wish everyone a happy new year and a great 2024," he wrote in English.

Then, in Korean, it says, "I finished the last game of 2023 happily thanks to you. It's 2024 in Korea, and it's still 2023 in the UK, but thank you for making this a special and happy 2023. Thanks to your love and support throughout this year, I was able to play happy soccer, and if that happy soccer made you happy and smiling for a while, that was my greatest happiness in 2023. I hope that this happiness will be with me and all of you in 2024! Happy New Year," he wrote.

Tributes poured in for Son Heung-min. "You can't keep giving him chances," said the BBC, "Lo Celso's exquisite outside pass found Son Heung-min and he didn't miss. It was Son's 12th goal of the season," said the BBC.

With Son's goal, Tottenham overcame the disappointment of a 2-4 defeat at Brighton to win their final game of 2023. With the three points, Spurs closed the gap on fourth-place Arsenal to one point. League leaders Liverpool, despite having played one less game, are still three points behind.

But then a big hole opened up. Son Heung-min was called up for the Asian Cup. After this game, Heung-min will join the South Korean national soccer team for the Asian Cup in Qatar. After the game, coach [토토](https://www.majortotosite.top) Enze Postecoglou confirmed that "this was Heung-min's last game. He will join the Korean national team for the Asian Cup."

"Heung-min is the team's top scorer with 12 goals in 20 games," said the Telegraph. He is the most destructive player in the team, so there is a big void. Just like Kane, Tottenham can't afford to be without him now. Now they need to find a replacement, and the next hurdle in Postecoglou's arduous journey is the Asian Cup."