Park Ji-Sung “I’m proud… Hope for many Asian players”
2002 Korea-Japan World Cup semi-finalist Lee Young-pyo (45), Gangwon FC CEO, praised Son Heung-min (30), ‘a junior of Tottenham’, as the top scorer in the English Premier League (EPL) as “a tremendous event comparable to mankind’s landing on the moon” did.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Advisor Park Ji-seong, the ‘Korean Premier League No. 1’, also boasted of Son Heung-min, saying, “I gave hope to many Asian players.”
Representative Lee Young-pyo met with reporters ahead of a luncheon to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup held at The Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 2nd, and mentioned Son Heung-min’s EPL top scorer award, referring to the landing of American astronaut Neil Armstrong on the moon in 1969. For him, in the history of Asian football, for an Asian player to become the top scorer in the EPL, it is as great an event as mankind went to the moon.”
Heung-Min Son scored 23 goals in the EPL season in 2021-2022 and shared the title with Mohammed Salah (Liverpool) as the top scorer.
Heung-Min Son is the first Asian player to become the top scorer in the EPL.
Tottenham Hotspur is also the team where Lee Young-pyo played during his time as a player, so it is bound to be more emotional for Lee.
“Heung-Min Son scored the 23rd goal (in the final match against Norwich City) and became the top scorer,” Lee said.
He continued, “Before that goal, when we talked about who is really the best player in Asia, I mentioned some players such as coach Cha Bum-geun (former national team), but because of that goal, for the time being, the best player in Asia is Son Heung-min,” he asserted.
Park Ji-seong, who played a big part in the EPL club Manchester United (Man United), also said, “I made the question of ‘can such a thing happen’ a reality” about Son Heung-min taking the top scorer title. “I know how difficult and amazing it is to play and rise to that position as an Asian player, and I’m proud to have done it.”
He added, “Through this, I gave hope to many Asian players and showed that Asian players can run towards a higher dream.”
Heung-min Son was not included in the six nominations for Player of the Year announced by the English Professional Football Association (PFA) on the same day despite his great performance in the season.
Regarding this, CEO Lee Young-pyo said, “What I think is special is if I scored 22 goals and finished second in scoring, it would have been forgotten in a month or two.
However, he said, “It will be the best season of his career for Son Heung-min regardless of the player of the year,” he said.
When asked ‘Isn’t it sad?’, he smiled and said, “I think Son Heung-min will be even more sad.” “I am extremely satisfied.
An Asian player won the top scorer in the Premier League.
He is also a Korean player.
The player also belongs to Tottenham.
I am satisfied with that alone,” he added.
Park Ji-sung also said, “I think I have enough qualifications to be nominated, but personally, it’s a bit disappointing.
However, he showed his undeniable ability,” he said, expressing the thought that Son Heung-min’s achievements will never fade even if he was not included in the player of the year nominations.
Representative Lee also shared his thoughts on the current national team on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Korea-Japan World Cup.
“What I feel is definitely doing better than we were,” he said. “Football develops over time.
In terms of speed, change of karate, and individual skills, it feels like they are being developed every four years as the World Cup is held.
It’s more fun to watch the game,” he said.
He also did not forget his advice for the national team to participate in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“The World Cup is still a challenging stage for the Korean national team,” said Lee.
Korea will play a difficult game,” he said, but “Looking back on recent performances, this World Cup raises expectations more than ever.
In particular, it is a team that is ready to advance to the round of 16.”
He said, “It will not be easy because our group is strong, but the national team is more stable now than when we reached the round of 16 at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa for the first time.
/yunhap news