Ammon News - South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo has dismissed mounting concerns over captain Son Heung-min's form, insisting the veteran striker remains "the heart" of the ​team.

Son, South Korea's most-capped player and second-highest goalscorer, missed a few ‌chances in a 1-0 defeat by Austria on Tuesday, with his performances under the microscope in the build-up to this year's World Cup.

The 33-year-old began South Korea's ​4-0 thrashing by Ivory Coast last week on the bench, with ​Hong explaining that was due to illness.

"Son Heung-min is the ⁠heart of our team, and I have never once doubted that," Hong ​told reporters.

"I tried to monitor his minutes because he was battling a ​cold when he first reported to camp. As far as I am concerned, Son Heung-min has been doing a superb job as captain and one of the veteran ​players."

Son, who is yet to score for his club Los Angeles FC ​in the MLS this season, this week hit back at suggestions that there had ‌been ⁠a dip in the level of his performances.

"When the time comes for me to leave the national team, then I will do it on my own. If I can no longer play at a high level, then ​I shouldn't be ​on the national ⁠team," he told reporters.

"Now I have to return to my club and try to perform better. It's disappointing ​that people talk about decline whenever I hit a ​dry spell.

"I ⁠know there are high expectations on me because I've scored so many goals over the years. I am always doing the best I can, and ⁠I am ​feeling good physically."

South Korea will play in ​Group A at the June 11 to July 19 World Cup, alongside co-hosts Mexico, South ​Africa and the Czech Republic.

Reuters