Son wins Asian gold, avoids military service

Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min is set to be spared almost two years of military service after leading South Korea to Asian Games gold Saturday.

The defending champion beat Japan 2-1 after extra time in steamy Cibinong, West Java as Lee Seung-woo and Hwang Hee-chan scored the goals that will allow 26-year-old Son to see out his new five-year deal with Spurs.

A late header from Ayase Ueda gave South Korea an almighty fright, but they saw out a nervous last few moments to win a record fifth Asiad title.

South Korean captain Son, substituted in the dying seconds to buy precious time, sprinted from the bench to embrace goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, sobbing tears of joy as they rolled on the turf together.

The South Koreans dominated the final but wasted several decent opportunities before substitute Lee broke the deadlock by smashing a left-foot shot into the roof of the net three minutes into extra time.

Heung Min Son will not go on a 2 year loan deal to the South Korean military after all. Great news for Spurs and him. 👏👏

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 1, 2018

Son delivered a free kick for Hwang to ram home a towering header eight minutes later, before Ueda's goal triggered late drama.

South Korea could have been three goals up by halftime, with Lee Jin-hyun blazing just over from distance and Son bundled over in the box for what replays suggested was a clear penalty.

Hwang Ui-jo went close as the Japan-based striker went in search of his 10th goal of the tournament before Japan captain Koji Miyoshi forced a sharp save from Jo.

Roared on by thousands of flag-waving "Red Devils" fans, the South Koreans continued to press as Hwang rippled the side-netting just after the hour mark but both sides wilted in the sapping condition as the game went on.

Failure to win gold could have been disastrous for Son's career as the multi-millionaire footballer faced swapping his tracksuit for a camouflage kit and 21 months of national service, compulsory for South Korean men.

BREAKING: South Korea have won the Asian games!

Heung Min Son & the rest of the squad will now be exempt from the compulsory two years military service... Great news for Spurs!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/EZhEYLBj9w

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) September 1, 2018

Spurs only released their forward to compete as one of three permitted over-age players at the far-flung, regional U-23 tournament because he pleaded with the London club.

Nearly every able-bodied South Korean male is required to perform their military service before the age of 28, although the government rewards Asiad gold medals and Olympic medals of any colour with an exemption.

Son was selected to play at the 2014 Asiad but his former club Bayer Leverkusen refused to release him - and the South Koreans scooped gold.

His tears after South Korea's quarter-final defeat by Honduras at the 2016 Rio Olympics melted hearts, and thousands offered to do double their own military service in an online petition if Son could be pardoned.