Park Ji-sung

Park Ji-sung
	File:Park ji sung mufc profile 2006.jpg
Personal information
Full name	Park Ji-Sung
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Attacking Midfielder; Winger
Team information
Current team	Manchester United
Number	13
	‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:24, 31 March 2007 (UTC)

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Park Ji-Sung (born February 25, 1981 in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do) is a South Korean football player who currently plays for Manchester United, and is widely regarded as the best Asian footballer currently playing in Europe.

Park is extremely popular among South Koreans and fans of PSV Eindhoven for being pivotal in helping take South Korea to the Semi-Finals in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, PSV Eindhoven to the Semi-Finals in the UEFA Champions League, as well as for being among the first of his countrymen to play in the English Premier League.

A player best known for his incredible pace and stamina, his former teammates at PSV Eindhoven have jokingly suggested that Park plays with an oxygen tank strapped to his back. For the same reason, United fans have given Park the nickname "Three-Lung Park." This nickname and others attest to his impressive pace and stamina, which enables him to produce fast-paced, consistent play for a full 90-minute game.

To his managers, he has been renowned for his good attitude and strong work ethic, which have helped him excel for both club and country.

Park has been described as "a wizard with the ball at his feet who can burn defenders with his speed. Park has great vision and uses it to deliver and distribute the ball to his teammates with pinpoint accuracy in the attacking third of the field.

Career

Park Ji-Sung started playing soccer at the age of eleven. He won various awards starting from elementary school and played soccer throughout highschool in Suwon. Upon graduation, he wanted to turn pro but professional clubs were less keen on signing Park, because of his small stature. The fact that he suffered flat feet may have also played a role. Failing to turn professional, Park looked at universities to continue playing soccer, but he had trouble here as well. Park ended up going to Myung-Ji University after his highschool coach recommended him strongly to the coach of the university. Here, Kyoto Purple Sanga of Japan offers him a contract and Park takes the offer.

International career

Park began his international career as an 17 year old defensive midfielder. However, when Guus Hiddink became the head coach of South Korea, Park's position was shifted to that of a winger. Since then, Park has become a versatile player able to play in a variety of positions: central, right and left midfield, as well as wing-forward.

Park scored one of the most memorable goals of South Korean football history during the 2002 World Cup, which instantly led to his stardom. During the group stages South Korea had won their first game against Poland and drew against USA. In order to advance, they had to manage a draw at the least against favoured Portugal side. The game was 0-0 until the 70th minute following two red cards against Portugal, when Park scored the stunning match winner controlling the ball with his chest and beating a defender before volleying it superbly into the net with his left foot. His goal eliminated Portugal and advanced South Korea into the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time.

Park's success in the World Cup continued into the 2006 tournament. He scored the equalising goal in the 2nd Group G Match against eventual finalists France in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and was voted Man of The Match. Between these two World Cup Finals, his shirt number shifted from 21 to 7, and he played in every match for South Korea.

Kyoto Purple Sanga

Park's first professional contract was at J-League's Kyoto Purple Sanga in 2000. He was the first Korean footballer ever to go straight to the J-League without first playing for the K-League. In 2001 the club won the Division 2 championships and promoted to the first division. In 2002, Park led the team into the finals of the Emperor's Cup, and scored the equalier with a header in the final match. The team went on to win the match 2-1 to become the champions of Japan for the first time in Sanga's history. He left the J-League following the World Cup.

PSV Eindhoven

Before the World Cup, Guus Hiddink was appointed the manager of Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. In 2003, Park and South Korean teammate Lee Young-Pyo moved to PSV Eindhoven, to play under their mentor and former national team coach. While Lee quickly became a fixture in PSV Eindhoven's starting lineup, Park struggled due to injuries and adapted slowly to the Dutch league, leading to him being booed by many PSV fans.

However, by the end of 2003-04 season, Park had begun to adapt to the Netherlands, both on and off the field. In the 2004-05 season, the departure of Arjen Robben to Chelsea afforded Park more starting opportunities and he quickly proved his worth to the team. Along with Johann Vogel and Dutchmen Mark van Bommel and Philip Cocu, Park formed the backbone of PSV Eindhoven's midfield play with his pace and passing. Having been a top contributor of goals and assists that season, the highlight of Park's PSV career came when he scored the first goal against Italian team AC Milan at the Champions League semi-finals. PSV went on to win the home leg 3-1, but their 2-0 loss during the away leg meant AC Milan advanced to the Champions League Final.

Demonstrating the sheer scale of his hero status at the club, PSV fans even wrote a song for Park for his contributions during his time with the club. Titled "Song for Park", it was included in the PSV official album "PSV Kampioen", and repeats "Ji-Sung Park" in Dutch pronunciation the whole time.^{[citation needed]}

Manchester United

In the closing months of the 2004-05 season, Park was vigorously scouted by top football clubs in the English Premier League and the Italian Serie A, of which the most keen were Chelsea and Manchester United. He chose to join Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United, who was impressed with Park's lively style of play, terrific pace, and unparalled fitness. On June 22, 2005 Park signed for English Premiership side Manchester United from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven for £4 million, subject to a medical and work permit. His work permit was initially denied, but was granted on July 5 following an appeal from United.^{[citation needed]}

As expected, he impressed during Manchester United's pre-season tour of the Far East, as well as in the first game of the season against Everton with his tireless roaming of the pitch and relentless pressuring of opponents, such that Ferguson picked him over Ryan Giggs and the popular Cristiano Ronaldo to start against Aston Villa on 20 August the following week.^[1]

His first goal for Manchester United came on December 20, 2005, during a 3-1 win over Birmingham in the League Cup Quarter Final.^[2] His first goal in the Premier League appeared to have been against Fulham on February 5 2006, in Manchester United's 4-2 victory at Old Trafford.^[3] However the Premier League's Dubious Goals Panel later ruled that this was an "own-goal" due to a deflection off a Fulham defender. Park's first official league goal came against Arsenal on April 9, in Manchester United's 2-0 victory at Old Trafford.^[4]

On August 11, Manchester United announced that Park had extended his contract with the club until 2010. Speaking of Park's commitment to the club, Ferguson said "Ji-Sung has had an impressive first year and I’m pleased to have secured him to the end of the decade at least. He has adapted well to the Premiership. His awareness and ability are first class." However he just doesn't score! Fans even call him, 'no-goal Park'. However he did score two goals in one match against Bolton Wanderers FC, in which many fans were shocked by his heroic contribution that match. He tore his ankle ligaments in training right before Manchester United's away match against Benfica FC, which kept him out of action for three months.^[5] Park returned after recovering from his injury on December 17 in the 1-0 defeat against West Ham United. On 13 January 2007, Park played a major part in the in a 3-1 victory against Aston Villa, assisting C. Ronaldo and Carrick in their two goals, and even scoring himself. On February 10 2007, Park again played a significant part for the team in a 2-0 victory against Charlton, in which he created chances opening the play and even scoring his second goal of the league campaign. On March 17 2007, Park played a decisive role on the great victory against Bolton Wanderers (4-1), scoring two of the four Red Devils' goals. On March 30, he scored a goal and set a goal up as Manchester United won their match against Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford. [1]

In April 2007, Park was sent to America for surgery on a recurring knee injury, putting an end to his season.^[6] Ferguson has stated that he should be fit by December 2007 or January 2008.^[7]

Guus Hiddink in Park's life

Most people agree that Park would not have been as successful without Hiddink as his mentor. It was Heo Jeong-Mu who elected Park into the Olympic squad, but it was not until Hiddink's decision to convert the holding midfielder into an attacking winger. This is where Park's potential blossomed. It was Hiddink who elected Park as a winger in the 2002 World Cup, and signed him at PSV Eindhoven. In PSV, Park's first season was rather disappointing, but Hiddink kept his trust in Park, repeatedly saying to the media that Park is a great player and a great asset to the team. Park thanked Hiddink with superb performance on the pitch.

Following is a translation from park's autobiography.

"I was sitting alone in an empty locker room, left leg injured. I need to prove my worth when the opportunity is given. I look at my leg, powerless, and wonder why I had to get hurt in this moment.

Then, Coach Hiddink appears out of nowhere with an interpretor and speaks to me in English. Not understanding, I stare at the interpretor.

"He says, you have great mentality. With that kind of mental strength, you will become a great player."

I was shocked. Before I could murmur the easy 'thank you' in English, he was gone. My heart was pounding. The coach always seemed to be so far away, but he came to me and told me I have great mentality. Somewhere inside, energy was rousing up. ... Mentality. I have nothing else to boast, but one thing I could do is to never give up. I will endure all hardships, even if I would die from it. And I will keep this mentality. ... In the entire World Cup, I played with those words ringing in my ears. With my mentality, I can become a great player. I kicked the ball and ran around the field clinging on to those words. For better or for worse, I am calm and quiet, so not many people take notice of me. But I was sure that Coach Hiddink would be looking at me and urging me to move on. This gave me courage.

If it was not for Coach Hiddink, I would not be where I am now.

With the words "where I am now," I am not referring to me becoming famous or being able to purchase a spacious condo for my parents. I am referring to the fact that I learned to love myself more.

Within a minute, what Coach Hiddink said to me changed my life forever. I feel a bit shy thinking about what he would think after reading this, but he is my "master" and I owe him everything and I wont't be able to repay in my lifetime."

After Park scored the winner against Portugal in the World Cup to secure a place in the tournament, first thing Park did is to run to Hiddink and give him a bear hug.

Awards

In 2005, Park was chosen as one of the famous five nominees for the best forward/striker category in the prestigious UEFA Club Football Awards. The other four were Adriano (Inter), Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), and Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan). Ronaldinho eventually won the award. In the same year, he was a candidate for the European Footballer of the Year award, amongst some of Europe's best players. While he did not win that title, he was selected in EuroSport Best 11 for 2007, a title which represents Europe's best 11 players. In February, he was chosen by German football magazine Kicker as the Premier League's best player. Park was selected as a midfielder for the SkySports Best 11 of the Premiership in March, along with fellow Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

AFC Controversy

In 2005, Park Ji-Sung was widely regarded as the most prominent candidate by far to win the AFC Player of the Year award; however, unfortunate circumstances led him to forfeit his chance of nomination after AFC announced the prospective omission of nominees who could not attend the AFC Annual Awards gala held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This sparked much controversy in Asia, especially with other notable omissions such as Japan's Shunsuke Nakamura and Iran's Ali Karimi. The official ceremony was to be held on 30th of November 2005, while Manchester United had an upcoming game against West Bromwich Albion in the 4th round of the League Cup on the exact same date. In a difficult position, Park readily decided to play for his club rather than to fly over to Malaysia to claim his prize. While the ceremony was being carried out in Kuala Lumpur, Park displayed an impressive performance in the match against West Brom, contributing to both United's 3-1 victory and the booking of their place in the quarterfinals of the League Cup.

Career stats

(Correct as of April 14, 2007)

**All-Time Club Performance**
Club	Season	League			FA Cup			League Cup			European Competition			Total
Club	Season	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists
Manchester United	2006-07	14	5	2	5	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	20	5	2
Manchester United	2005-06	33	2	7	2	0	0	3	1	0	6	0	0	44	3	7
Total		47	7	9	7	0	0	3	1	0	7	0	0	64	8	9
PSV Eindhoven	2004-05	28	7	5	3	2	0	-	-	-	13	2	2	44	11	7
	2003-04	28	6	2	1	0	0	-	-	-	10	0	1	39	6	3
	2002-03	8	0	0	0	0	0	-	-	-	0	0	0	8	0	0
Total		64	13	7	4	2	0	-	-	-	23	2	3	91	17	10
Kyoto Purple Sanga	2002	25	7	7	?	1	?	?	?	?	-	-	-	25	8	7
	2001	38	3	8	?	?	?	?	?	?	-	-	-	38	3	8
	2000	13	1	0	?	?	?	?	?	?	-	-	-	13	1	0
Total		76	11	15	?	1	?	?	?	?	-	-	-	76	12	15
Career Totals		187	30	29	11	3	0	3	1	0	30	2	3	231	37	34

International goals

Scores and results list Korea Republic's goal tally first.

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	June 7, 2000	Tehran, Iran	North Macedonia	2-0	2-1	Friendly match
2	May 21, 2002	Seogwipo, Korea Republic	England	1-1	1-1	Friendly match
3	May 26, 2002	Suwon, Korea Republic	France	1-1	2-3	Friendly match
4	June 14, 2002	Incheon, Korea Republic	Portugal	1-0	1-0	2002 FIFA World Cup
5	June 8, 2005	Kuwait City, Kuwait	Kuwait	4-0	4-0	2006 FIFA World Cup Qual.
6	January 25, 2006	Berlin, Germany	Finland	1-0	1-0	Friendly match
7	June 18, 2006	Leipzig, Germany	France	1-1	1-1	2006 FIFA World Cup

Clubs

Kyoto Purple Sanga (J-League) - 2000 - 2003
PSV Eindhoven (Dutch Eredivisie) - 2003 - 2005
Manchester United (English Premier League) - 2005 onwards