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Huh Jong-moo, seen here in a file photo, was named the AFC’s manager of the year Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur. / Korea Times File |
By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
South Korean national team manager Huh Jung-moo was recognized as the coach of the year in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after guiding the team to qualification for the 2012 World Cup and very nearly remaining unbeaten in 2009.
Huh was honored at the AFC Annual Awards Ceremony, beating out fellow nominees North Korea's Kim Jong-hoon and Japan's Takeshi Okada, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tuesday.
Huh was not the only player from the national team that took home some hardware, Ki Sung-yueng was named the AFC Youth Player of the Year.
Huh becomes the fifth South Korean to win the award since it was created in 1994.
Huh led his boys to the World Cup finals with a record of 4-4-0 in the final round of qualifying. The team didn't lose a single game until its last of the year ― a 1-0 defeat against Serbia in a friendly on Nov. 18. Prior to the loss, Korea had gone 27 games without defeat.
"The coaching staff and players all followed the plan that I set out," said Huh. "And we received such huge support from the fans, which gave us the boost we needed to advance to the World Cup for the seventh straight time."
"I also really appreciate the support from Korea Football Association (KFA) president Cho Chung-yun and KFA officials."
"I think this award for me means we can do very well at the South Africa World Cup."
Ki, a 20-year-old midfielder for FC Seoul, is the third Korean to win the youth award. Former national team forward Lee Chun-soo got it in 2002 and current Korean international striker Park Chu-young of AS Monaco won it in 2004.
Also, 2009 AFC Champions League winners Pohang Steelers were named the club team of the year and Hong Eun-ah got the AFC Referee of the Year award for women's football.
yc@koreatimes.co.kr
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