Park Ji-Sung
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[edit] BiographyPark Ji-Sung's game is centred upon a high work ethic and discipline and it these properties that have driven him to the top. As a youngster he was small for his age but what he lacked in size he made up for in determination and worked hard in training to build up stamina and fitness. It is said he drunk doses of boiled frog extract when his father told him it would make him grow!!! Even then, Park barely made it onto his college team, and had to start his professional career on a second-tier Japanese squad. In 1999 his football career began by crossing the sea of Japan, leaving his homeland for J-League side Kyoto Purple Sanga. He quickly won his first international cap against Mexico in 2000 and became a regular in the Korean team. In 2002 he was selected for the World Cup in which South Korea were joint hosts with Japan. Park became a national hero during the tournament, scoring the winner in the Korean's stunning defeat of Portugal which knocked them out of the World Cup and sent the hosts into the knock out stage. The team amazed thw world by defeating both Italy and Spain and reached the semi-final's only to lose 1-0 to Germany. In 2005 Park's home city of Suwon unveiled a road named after him, 'Park Ji-Sung Road' to honour his contribution to the team in the tournament. South Korea coach Guus Hiddink headed back to Europe for PSV Eindhoven in August 2003 but the young midfielder had left a great impression, so much so that Hiddink brought Ji-Sung with him to the Eredivisie. However, the Korean's first year at PSV was difficult, blighted by problems settling into Dutch life and the language barrier. He did not feature much in his first season making only eight appearances, nonetheless PSV did win the league title. Yet despite the initial failure the following season saw Park Ji-Sung unexpectedly transformed into a key player at the Philips Stadion. PSV had been predicted to struggle before the 2004-2005 season began (having sold star players such as Robben and Kezman to Chelsea) but the emergence of Ji-Sung as a midfield dynamo proved significant as they swept to the Dutch league and cup double. Not only domestically, he impressed during PSV's superb run in the Champions League as well, scoring in the second leg of the semi-final against AC Milan. Park then helped South Korea book their place in their sixth consecutive World Cup by scoring in the 4-0 thrashing of Kuwait. With the season over, rumours began that he was being tracked by Sir Alex Ferguson and it wasn't long before a move was made. The South Korean signed a four-year deal at Old Trafford for an undisclosed fee, which is reported to be in the region of £4 million, according to the player's agency FS Corporation. Park was confident he could have a major impact: "I am confident I can prove myself at one of the world's top clubs," he said. "I want to show my value to United in terms of my ability, not for some marketing strategy for Asia. I am not going to England for business. "Manchester United is the most famous club in the world. I am getting the chance to play in the best team with the best players. "I am confident in my ability and will do my best to play as many games as I can." In his first term at United, Park was deployed mainly on the left wing and featured in 45 matches - more than many thought. His energetic style was well suited to the Premiership and he did not appear to have any problems settling into life in England. His first goal for the Reds came in December 2005, during a 3-1 win over Birmingham in the League Cup. His first Premiership goal at Fulham was later ruled an "own-goal" by the FA Dubious Goals Panel due to a deflection off a Fulham defender. Park did finally score in the League and it came against Arsenal in April 2006 in United's 2-0 win at Old Trafford. In all it was a sucessful first season capped by a winners medal in the League Cup final win over over Wigan in Cardiff. In 2006-07 the Korean looked to hold down a regular first team place and in August 2007 Park extended his contract with the club until 2010. Sadly in his second season he would make only 12 starts and 8 appearances from the bench due to injury. An ankle ligament injury in late September kept him out of action for three months until mid December. He was impressive on his return supplying assists to Ronaldo and Carrick and scoring in a 3-1 victory at home to Aston Villa. In February 2007, Park scored at home to Charlton and followed this up with two goals at home to Bolton in a 4-1 rout and another against Blackburn at Old Trafford. In April 2007, he was sent to America for surgery on a recurring knee injury, putting an end to his season. He should, however, be fit again for the start of the 2007-2008 season and is a quality player who will prove invaluable to Sir Alex's squad throughout the next campaign.
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