Asian Cup Players To Watch: Park Ji-sung

Name: Park Ji Sung
Age: 29
Country: South Korea
Club: Manchester United
Position: Central Midfielder/Winger
Strengths: Movement, Work-rate

The man who rose to prominence under miracle worker Guus Hiddink at the 2002 World Cup, since then Park Ji Sung has developed into one of world football’s most recognisable faces and undoubtedly his continent’s highest profile footballer.

His career domestically has seen him to collect English Premier League and UEFA Champions League winners medals, in the meantime rising to become talisman and captain of his national team.

An incredibly versatile player, the South Korean has said the 2011 Asian Cup will be his last.


Set to retire after the tournament at the rather ripe age of 29, his country are about to lose an irreplaceable figure who has been the face of Asian football for quite some time now.

Despite this disappointment, fans of the Taegeuk Warrior’s should be optimistic about the upcoming finals for the sole reason that Park is in the form of his life with Manchester United.

Having established himself as a key figure in the club’s title race this season with some important goals, he embarks upon his final act as Korea captain full of confidence and in the knowledge that he is perhaps better placed than ever to lead his country to victory in the Cup for the first time in over 50 years.

A recent injury to first-choice striker Park Chu-Young means Park will get another chance to showcase his ability to play anywhere in the final third, with manager Cho Kwang-Rae confirming the natural winger will play up top.

DID YOU KNOW? Park's home town of Suwon named a road after him in 2005: Park Ji-Sung Road.

There the South Koreans will look to utilize the composure Park has shown in front of goal with United this season along with his incredible work-rate and stamina, the latter two characteristics his most renowned.

It would be remiss to suggest that work rate and energy are the main qualities the PSV Eindhoven man possesses; he is an astute dribbler, passer and crosser of a football as well, whilst also boasting that invaluable knack of stepping up to the big occasion.

Intelligent movement off the ball is another aspect of his game that has been heralded in the past and will be so important to the mobile system that Cho is trying to implement. Park will very much be the focal point of a young South Korean squad, particularly in attack.

The hopes of a nation depend greatly on his leadership and performance and he has rarely been found wanting in either category.