Korea star Park more than Monaco marketing success

January 30, 2010

Alongside goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier and Brazilian sensation Nene, South Korean international Park Chu-young has been one of the revelations of the season for French top flight side Monaco.

An Asian Youth Championship winner at the age of 19 in 2004, where he was the top scorer and player of the tournament, Park endured a slow start to his career at the Stade Louis II.

In the summer of 2008 his signing became a number one priority for then-coach Ricardo and his assistant, Jean Petit.

“He was presented to us by intermediaries living in Monaco,” recalls Petit, who now works as an advisor to the club board.

“We found his profile very interesting. We were in need of two forwards. As far as we were concerned, Park had to be one of them.

“Lots of clubs were interested. Ricardo and me had to really force the issue. It wasn’t easy, or straightforward, but it turned out brilliantly.”

Park began last season late, in September, following his return from the Beijing Olympics where he had been representing his country.

His debut campaign, in which he scored five goals in 31 league games, proved something of a learning curve, but Park was already demonstrating his fighting spirit and his desire to knuckle down for the team.

Able to play both as an out-and-out frontman as well as a support striker, he has become an essential component of the team and has already scored six goals in the league and one in the French Cup against Lyon.

“Up front is his best position,” says Petit. “But he can still improve. He doesn’t have enough of a killer instinct.”

Cruelly dismissed in some quarters as a marketing tool brought in by former president Jerome de Bontin in order to capitalise on his huge popularity in South Korea, the Taekwondo enthusiast now looks irreplaceable.

The current Monaco board have acted accordingly and on Friday they announced that he has signed a contract extension tying him to the principality club until 2013.

Shy and retiring, Park has consciously constructed a barrier between himself and the media since his arrival in Europe.

“I only speak Korean,” he says whenever prompted for a comment by the press.

Club insiders, however, say that he communicates with ease in English and French. “He understands everything, he’s cultivated and intelligent,” says one.

His agent, meanwhile, claims he has an IQ of 150.

For Park, who this summer will compete in his second World Cup at the age of just 25, Monaco is just a stepping stone.

“He knows what he wants,” says Petit. “He wants to play for a big club. So he lives healthily and gives everything for the team. And, true to the Asian mentality, he never gives up on anything.”

MONACO (AFP)

Tags: asian youth, Beijing, beijing olympics, championship winner, contract extension, Europe, fighting spirit, former president, french cup, intermediaries, jean petit, jerome de bontin, killer instinct, Korea, league games, learning curve, Lyon, marketing tool, Monaco, south korea, south korean, stade louis ii, top scorer, tournament park

Korea DPR downs Qatar, 1-0

December 31, 2009

Korea DPR made it two wins from at the Friendship Tournament on Wednesday as a solitary goal beat hosts Qatar 1-0 in Doha.

Just two days after downing Iran 1-0 in the same tournament, the Koreans put themselves in position to win the competition as Choe Chol-Man’s goal in the 59th minute downed the Qataris, who had fallen to Mali in their opener on Monday.

Choe’s goal was his seventh in seventh in international competition, but his first since a six-goal salvo back in 2005. The 24-year-old, who plays for 4.25 Sports Group in Nampho, is making a bid to return to Kim Jong-Hun’s squad for South Africa.

Korea DPR play their final game of the tournament on Saturday against Mali and open World Cup play on 15 June in Johannesburg against Brazil.

Mali beat Iran 2-1 in the day’s other match.

Tags: 59th minute, beat hosts, brazil, Doha, final game, friendship tournament, international competition, Iran, johannesburg, Kim Jong-, Korea, korea dpr, koreans, mali, match, Qatar, solitary goal, South Africa, sports group, World Cup

Korea too strong for Paraguay at Under-20 World Cup

October 6, 2009

Korea Republic are the second quarter finalists at the 2009 World Youth Championship following a 3-0 win over Paraguay. All goals were scored in the second half.

The score at Cairo’s International Stadium was opened through Bo-Kyung Kim in the 55th minute, and Min-Woo Kim added a second five minutes later.

Things got even worse for Paraguay when they had midfielder Rodrigo Burgos sent off with a second yellow card in minute 61, and Min-Woo Kim went on to net a third goal nine minutes later.

The Asians play their quarter final on Saturday, against the winner of the match between Ghana ans South Africa.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: asians, bo kyung kim, Bo-Kyung, burgos, Cairo, five minutes, ghana, International Stadium, jonathan, Kim, Korea, korea republic, match, midfielder, Min-Woo, paraguay, quarter finalists, rodrigo, Rodrigo Burgos, score, second half, second quarter, South Africa, World Cup, world youth championship, yellow card

United States falls to Korea Republic, likely out of U-20s

October 3, 2009

The United States surrendered a pair of first-half goals and was beaten 3-0 by Korea Republic on Friday at the Under-20 World Cup that likely ended its chances of advancing to the second round.

The Americans collected managed only one shot on goal, collected five yellow cards and finished with 10 men after defender Ike Opara earned his second caution in the 73rd minute.

The result left the United States in third place with three points and a minus-3 goal difference, unlikely to earn it a place in the round-of-16.

Korea had the better of play early and hit the post in the 21st minute when Koo Ja-cheol found a bounding ball at his feet in the middle of the area after a corner kick and unleashed a shot that U.S. goalkeeper Brian Perk slid to get his feet to, knocking off the underside of the crossbar.

Another corner two minutes later gave Korea Republic the lead when a similarly loose ball was corralled by Kim Young-gwon and he curled a left-footer off the upper left post and into the goal.

Korea Republic doubled the lead three minutes before halftime. Park He-seong looped a cross from the right that just cleared the head of U.S. defender Sheanon Williams and to Kim Bo-kyung, who settled with his chest and easily beat Perk.

The Asians again had the better of play in the second half and assured their victory when Okpara hip-checked Koo to knock him off the ball, earning the Koreans a penalty and the American defender his second yellow.

The Americans will have to wait for the remainder of the group stage to be completed to see it they will get a berth in the second round.

SUEZ, Egypt

Source

Tags: berth, brian perk, corner kick, crossbar, Egypt, goal difference, Goalkeeper, group stage, gwon, Kim Bo-kyung, Korea, korea republic, koreans, left footer, loose ball, opara, suez, suez egypt, three minutes, two minutes, U.S, United States, World Cup, yellow cards

Under-20 World Cup: Cameroon too strong for Korea Republic

September 26, 2009

The World Youth Championship Group C clash between Cameroon and Korea Republic ended in a 2-0 victory to the Africans, with one goal in each half.

The match was played shortly after the game between Germany and United States, at As-Suwais Stadium in the city of Suez.

Cameroon took the lead through Andre Effa in the 19th minute and Germain Tiko doubled the advantage five minutes after the break.

Korea will need a good result against group leaders Germany on Tuesday to keep hope alive, while Cameroon meet with the USA in an attempt to secure their spot in the round of sixteen.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: africans, Andre Effa, cameroon, effa, five minutes, game, Germain, Germain Tiko, Germany, group leaders, Korea, korea republic, match, suez, Suwais Stadium, tiko, United States, USA, victory, World Cup, world youth championship

Hosts Nigeria handed tough FIFA Under-17 World Cup draw

August 8, 2009

Hosts Nigeria will have a tough task defending their FIFA Under-17 World Cup crown after being drawn in a tough first round group that includes Germany, Argentina and Honduras.

The three-time world champions will open the tournament on October 24 against Germany at the Abuja National Stadium.

Twenty four years ago, Nigeria defeated Germany 2-0 to win the inaugural event in China.

The other 20 teams in the tournament are drawn into five groups of four teams each.

Three-time champions Brazil head Group B based in Lagos along with Japan, Mexico and Switzerland.

African champions Gambia are in Group C in Calabar along with Iran, Colombia and the Netherlands.

Burkina Faso will be based in Group D in Nugu with Turkey, Costa Rica and New Zealand.

Group E will be in the northern city of Kano where United Arab Emirates, Malawi, Spain and the USA will play.

Group F, in Kaduna, features Uruguay, Korea, Algeria and Italy.

The competition will end on November 15.

LAGOS (AFP)

Tags: abuja national stadium, african champions, algeria, Argentina, brazil, burkina faso, calabar, China, colombia, Costa Rica, fifa under 17, fifa under 17 world cup, Gambia, Germany, head group, Honduras, inaugural event, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kano, Korea, LAGOS, Malawi, Mexico, New Zealand, nigeria, november 15, october 24, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, time champions, time world champions, Turkey, twenty four years, united arab emirates, uruguay, world cup crown, zealand group

Evra in awe of ´Korea´s Beckham´

July 24, 2009

Patrice Evra counts Park Ji-Sung as a close friend but even he has been amazed at the fanatical support the midfielder gets on home turf, calling him “the David Beckham of Korea”.

The France left-back has accompanied Park on some promotional events on the Korean leg of their pre-season tour of Asia and said he was in awe.

“When Ji first arrived in Manchester he never talked and people didn’t know much about him. But when we arrive in Seoul you can see he is the King of Korea,” he told the club website.

“They shake, they cry, they scream when they see him. It’s amazing. He’s like the David Beckham of Korea.

“I’m very happy for him because he’s a really good friend and on the pitch he always gives 100 percent for the team. That’s why people love him.”

Park’s enthusiasm and ability have endeared him to Sir Alex Ferguson with the club to offer him a new contract.

Britain’s Daily Express said it would see Park’s current 30,000 pounds (49,500 dollars) a week deal doubled to 60,000 pounds.

Ferguson, meanwhile, has paid tribute to the welcome the team have received in Asia, saying the support they have in the region never ceases to amaze him.

“I’m still amazed sometimes when we arrive at hotels and there are thousands of fans hanging about. Then they’re in the corridors and in the lifts,” he said.

“You have to admire that love of the club. We experienced it here in Seoul two years ago and it’s just as good this time.

“In fact, it’s typical of the whole Far East — we have a terrific fan base and there’s a great fanaticism here.”

United play FC Seoul later Friday before heading to China to take on Hangzhou Greentown on Sunday.

SEOUL (AFP)

Tags: Asia, awe, Britain, corridors, David Beckham, fan base, fanaticism, France, good friend, hangzhou, home turf, Korea, Manchester, midfielder, new contract, patrice evra, seoul, sir alex ferguson, Sung, terrific fan

Bolton target Korea´s Lee Chung-yong

July 16, 2009

English premiership club Bolton are aiming to recruit 20-year-old South Korea winger Lee Chung-yong, local media reported on Wednesday.

K League side FC Seoul confirmed their midfielder was the subject of an offer from Trotters manager Gary Megson, but the Koreans said a deal was far from concluded to bring Lee to the Reebok stadium.

Lee’s agent Kim Sung-tae claims a deal will be struck which would eclipse the record for a South Korean moving overseas, which was set in 2003 when Lee Chun-soo moved to Spain’s Real Sociedad for 3.5 million dollars (2.4 million euro).

Bolton are currently at a fitness training camp in Austria.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: 5 million, Austria, English Premier League, english premiership, fitness training, gary megson, k league, kim sung, Kim Sung-tae, Korea, koreans, Lee, lee chun soo, Lee Chung-yong, local media, london, manager, midfielder, premiership club, real sociedad, reebok stadium, seoul, south korea, south korean, Spain, tae, target, training camp, winger

North Korea football victory evokes 1966 memories

June 18, 2009

HONG KONG (AFP) – Isolated on the global stage, North Korea will pit their wits against football’s heavyweights at next year’s World Cup after qualifying for only the second time in their history.

The North, whose only previous World Cup appearance was in 1966, secured their place in the finals with a typically dour 0-0 draw away at Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, joining neighbours and sworn enemies South Korea in South Africa.

Their qualification comes against the backdrop of grave international concern about the intentions of the North and its reclusive leader Kim Jong-Il after Pyongyang test-fired several rockets and tested a nuclear bomb.

Even their campaign to reach football’s four-yearly showpiece was not free from intrigue and controversy.

Earlier this year North Korea said its players had been poisoned ahead of a 1-0 defeat in Seoul, allegations that South Korean football officials branded as “groundless” and “far-fetched.”

The North, in a statement, also pointed the finger at the Omani referee.

“The match… turned into a theatre of plot-breeding and swindling,” the statement said.

In their only previous World Cup, in England 43 years ago, the North became many people’s second team as they beat the mighty Italy on the way to the quarter-finals, where they went out to a Eusebio-inspired Portugal, 5-3.

But in the current diplomatic climate, coupled with their brand of defensive counter-attacking football, they are unlikely to be so popular or entertaining this time around.

The draw against Saudi Arabia that sealed qualification was typical of North Korea’s campaign, which will see them competing against football’s elite despite a lowly world ranking of 106 — on a par with Moldova.

They scored only seven goals in eight games in the final qualification stage, conceding just five, while in the preceding group stages their resolute defence was not breached once in six games.

“It was so hot in Saudi Arabia and as you know the journey from Korea was long, but our belief in the ability of the players snatched the ticket to South Africa,” coach Kim Jong-Hun said after the game.

“We focused on defending as we had come under a lot of pressure from the Saudis and I think our preparation for the game was one factor that earned the victory tonight,” he told the official Asian Football Confederation website.

Japanese-born Jong Tae-Se, dubbed “Asia’s Wayne Rooney” by South Korean media because of his combative style, is one of the few players from the North who plies his trade outside the isolated state’s heavily guarded borders — for Kawasaki Frontale in Japan’s J-League.

“I think the players of the Republic have very high individual skills and the team has functioned as a unit with defensive tactics which allowed individual defensive skills to show,” Jong told AFP last year.

The North’s new-found success is a far cry from just a few years ago when they all but vanished from international football after losing to arch-rivals Japan and South Korea in qualifiers for the 1994 tournament.

Football may be the most popular sport in North Korea but that did not stop Pyongyang’s leadership from banning the team from travelling abroad.

They returned to international football at the Bangkok Asian Games in late 1999 but did not compete in qualifying for the 1998 World Cup in France or the 2002 edition.

Tags: Asia, BANGKOK, eight games, England, football officials, France, global stage, group stages, heavyweights, Hong Kong, international concern, Japan, Kawasaki, kim jong il, Kim Jong-, Korea, portugal, pyongyang, quarter finals, reclusive leader, saudi arabia, seoul, showpiece, six games, South Africa, south korea, sworn enemies, wayne rooney, wits, World Cup

Kaka ready to assume more responsibility

June 17, 2009

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AFP) – Superstar Kaka, buoyed by his recent high-profile move from AC Milan to Real Madrid, is ready to accept more responsibility as a senior player with Brazil.

The 27-year-old, who signed a six-year contract with the Spanish giants for a reported fee of 65 million euros earlier this month, recognises his growing stature as a senior player in Dunga’s national team.

His willingness to step up was evident in Brazil’s 4-3 victory over Egypt in the Confederations Cup here.

When the referee blew for a penalty in injury time with the scores tied 3-3, the Brazil No.10 showed no hesitation, immediately making his way to the spot before placing his strike past goalkeeper Essam El Hadary.

“Yes, I’m now a leader within the squad. Definitely not the only one, but one of several,” he told Fifa.com.

“It is to be expected that more senior players such as myself, Gilberto Silva, Lucio or even Robinho should take on more responsibilities.

“It’s a role that I take in my stride as it’s a natural progression, it’s not something that was forced upon me.”

His decision to step forward for the penalty kick in a pressure situation was seen by many as a defining moment and one that he said he had learned to handle during his time at AC Milan.

“I think that my attitude is what people expect from me in the national team,” said the midfielder, who will link up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real next season after the Portuguese forward’s move from Manchester United.

“As for the crucial penalty against Egypt, for example, I’m used to those situations from my last few seasons at AC Milan, so it’s only natural that I should perform a similar role for the national team.”

Kaka was at AC Milan since arriving from Sao Paolo in 2003, scoring 70 goals in Serie A and 23 in the Champions League.

He won the 2007 Champions League with them, the 2004 league title, two European Super Cups and the world club championship in 2007.

His experience also stretches to World Cups.

He was part of the winning squad at Korea/Japan in 2002, though in a peripheral role, and was a starter at Germany 2006 in a team packed with household names like Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Cafu and Ronaldinho.

Despite his high-profile summer transfer the Brasilia-born attacking midfielder, crowned FIFA World Player of the Year in 2007, was not at his best last season, spending time on the sidelines with injuries.

But he is now fit and gnashing at the bit, keen to see Brazil win the Confederations Cup and do well at the World Cup in South Africa next year.

“Playing in the Confederations Cup is a great opportunity ahead of the 2010 World Cup, and as long as we remain strong in adversity like against Egypt, I think we’ll be on the right track,” he said.