Son Heung-min Draws Thin Crowd with 30,000 Empty Seats in Sangam

Despite the excitement surrounding Son Heung-min’s participation, the upcoming international match is set to face significant empty seats at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The Korean national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, will go up against Ghana on November 18, starting at 8 PM. However, ticket sales have been disappointing, with a large number of seats still available on the official ticketing platform, PlayKFA.

Event Overview

On the day of the match, approximately 37,885 seats remain unsold, a concerning figure for what should be a high-profile game. Seoul World Cup Stadium, famously known as the ‘Mecca of Korean Football,’ has a capacity of over 65,000 but has sold only around 27,115 tickets. Ticket prices range from 30,000 KRW for general seating to 350,000 KRW for premium tables.

Attendance Expectations

Considering it is a weekday evening game, the expected attendance could be between 20,000 and 30,000 spectators. By 5:20 PM, just 2 hours and 40 minutes before kickoff, ticket cancellations were also on the rise. The weather forecast predicts a drop in temperature, with conditions expected to feel below zero by match time.

Historical Context

• The attendance figure is particularly alarming as the previous match on October 14 saw only 22,206 fans, leaving 43,000 seats empty.
• This would mark the lowest attendance for a home A-match since a game against Jamaica in October 2015.
• In contrast, the recent match against Brazil drew a crowd of 63,237 due to their star-studded lineup.

Though the Korean team under Coach Hong has a solid record of 11 wins, 5 draws, and 2 losses since his appointment in September 2022, fans seem less enthusiastic. There are ongoing concerns over the controversial hiring process that led to Hong’s appointment, which may be affecting attendance.

Looking Ahead

The match against Ghana is more than just a friendly; it is an opportunity for Korea to avenge their previous defeat to the same opponent in the Qatar World Cup group stage. Additionally, a victory could secure a favorable draw in the upcoming North American World Cup qualification process.

As the Korean team prepares for the match, all eyes will be on the attendance figures at Seoul World Cup Stadium. With many seats still empty and concerns over performance lingering, the stage is set for players like Son Heung-min to reignite national support for the beautiful game.