Park Ji-sung will take to the pitch, wearing the Red Devils kit in front of local fans for the first time, Friday. / Korea times File |
By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
Manchester United arrived in Korea today and their Korean energizer Park Ji-sung is preparing to stand in front of local fans wearing the Red Devils kit for the first time on Friday at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Man U, which is ranked first in the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), is visiting Korea for the first time since 2007. It will face K-League top team FC Seoul in the latest stop on its Asian tour.
In the team's first visit to Seoul two years ago, Man U's powerful offense, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra, gave the visitors a 4-0 win.
Park did not play in that game because he was rehabilitating an injured knee.
But this time the 28-year-old Korean national team captain is expected to be in United's starting 11. Park had been taking a break since South Korea's international fixtures last month but will rejoin United in Seoul.
``As I don't have any experience of playing in the K-League, this meeting is great and special for me. And this is meaningful because I play for my club, Manchester United, not the national team,'' Park said.
The most significant change from two years ago is that Ronaldo is out and Michael Owen is in. Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid in a record transfer earlier this month. Also absent will be Carlos Tevez, who departed for Manchester City.
Since joining Alex Ferguson's side, Owen has produced two goals in two consecutive Asian tour games.
Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov of Bulgaria will also be threats to score for United.
FC Seoul will look to national team midfielder Ki Sung-yueng to shoulder more of the load now that Lee Chung-yong has gone to London to complete his move to EPL club Bolton. Dejan Damjanovic of Montenegro and Jung Jo-gook will also be offensive threats for Seoul.
The match starts 8 p.m.
yc@koreatimes.co.krm
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