Meet the South Korean heroes who shattered Germany's World Cup dream

Meet the two South Korean players who turned Germany’s football dream to ashes.

KIM YOUNG-GWON
Position: Defender

1. Kim began his career in 2010 in Japan. For the last seven years, he has been playing for Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC, a professional Chinese football club. Alibaba founder Jack Ma owns a minority stake in the club.

2. He has made 93 appearances and has scored three goals in the last six years with the Chinese club. His goal in the 92nd minute against Germany, knocking the defending champion out of the tournament on June 27, was his first World Cup goal.

3. Another notable moment was when he scored the second goal in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup semifinal, leading his team into the Asian Cup final for the first time since 1988.



4. During the 2012 London Olympics, Kim played as a valuable member. They advanced to the semifinals in the Olympics for the first time and eventually won a bronze for South Korea.

5. Ahead of their match against Germany, Kim told the press that partnership and cooperation between their footballers is the key. “We have to make collaborative efforts in defensive coverage.”



SON HEUNG-MIN
Position: Winger/Forward

1. The 26-year-old Son has emerged as a key player for Tottenham Hotspur FC, where he has a contract till 2020.

2. Rumour has it that after his World Cup performance, both Manchester United and Liverpool are offering him as much as 61 million pounds to transfer.

3. But even as lucrative offers await the young gun, Son’s plans might just fall apart. As per law in South Korea, all men must enlist for two years in the armed forces before the age of 28. Son turned 26 on July 8 and would be required to complete 21 months of service.

4. The only hope of avoiding being drafted into the armed forces is a loophole in the law: sportsmen who win medals in the Olympic Games or gold medals at the Asian Games can be be handed exemptions from military service.

5. Son’s big chance will come at the Asian Games in Indonesia in August, where the team will need to take home the gold medal.