# Son Heung-min Targets 60th International Goal Against Saudi Arabia

South Korea faces Saudi Arabia in Doha amid uncertainty regarding interim coach Robert Moreno.

- **Source:** [The Korea Herald – All](https://www.koreaherald.com)
- **Published:** 2026-11-11
- **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports)
- **Original article:** <https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10933734>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/b0a162dd-abc9-4f11-ada3-beacdf1586d0

## Milestone Pursuit in Doha

South Korea captain Son Heung-min aims to reach his 60th international goal during the upcoming friendly against Saudi Arabia. The match takes place this Friday at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Son currently holds the national scoring record after surpassing Cha Bum-kun’s previous mark of 58 goals earlier this October.

## Interim Coaching Uncertainty

The team is led by interim coach Robert Moreno, whose contract is set to expire on November 27. With the Asian Cup postponed by eleven months to December 2027, Moreno’s future remains highly uncertain. These two friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Qatar are widely expected to be his final matches in charge of the squad.

## FIFA Ranking Comparison

South Korea enters the match ranked 32nd in the latest FIFA standings released in October. Their opponents, Saudi Arabia, currently sit at 55th in the global rankings. Despite the ranking gap, the match serves as a critical test for the South Korean side to demonstrate their standing as a leading Asian soccer nation.

## Restoring Team Cohesion

The national team is working to regain the trust of disappointed fans following a failure to reach the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Recent internal controversies involving potential retirements of key players born in 1996 have further damaged the team's reputation and overall cohesion during recent training sessions.

## Tactical Setup and Formation

Coach Moreno is expected to maintain the 4-4-2 formation utilized throughout his tenure. Son Heung-min will likely occupy a striker position, supported by Hwang Hee-chan and Lee Kang-in on the wings. Hwang In-beom is tasked with directing play from the midfield, aiming to create scoring opportunities for the captain to reach his milestone.

## Focus on Key Chemistry

Much attention will be directed toward the chemistry between Son and the group of players born in 1996, including Hwang Hee-chan, Hwang In-beom, and Kim Min-jae. Strengthening these relationships is vital, as recent reports suggested strain within the squad. Improved on-field cooperation is essential for the team to deliver a performance worthy of their status.

## Motivation Amid Postponement

The postponement of the Asian Cup has left players with less immediate competitive motivation heading into these final two friendlies of 2026. However, the squad demonstrated renewed determination during their first full-team training session in Doha on Tuesday. The players understand the necessity of performing well to appease their frustrated supporter base.

## Strategic Importance of Friendlies

These matches represent a pivotal opportunity for South Korea to rebuild after a series of underwhelming performances in September and October. By focusing on tactical execution and individual milestones, the team hopes to end the year on a positive note. Success here is required to stabilize the program before future major tournament preparations begin.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10933734 — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._