Football Die Hards

Ahn, Ko Shine in Comeback

By Kim Tong-hyung

Staff Reporter

Was there ever a Korean footballer with a reputation as polarized as Busan I'Park striker Ahn Jung-hwan?

His supporters would argue that he is the ultimate big-game player, blessed with a flair for the moment as evidenced by his World Cup game-winners against Italy in 2002 and Togo in 2004.

The other side of the camp focuses more on what he doesn't bring to the pitch, rating him as a languid player, whose overall contributions are always limited with brilliance coming only in spurts.

The 32-year-old forward seemed to settle the debate for good with a disastrous 2007 campaign, managing three goals in only 10 appearances for the Suwon Bluewings, leaving football watchers wondering whether his days as an effective player were all but over.

However, if his performance against the Jeonbuk Motors Sunday is a valid indication, Ahn's determination for redemption just might fuel a convincing fight against mortality.

The match was clearly the most anticipated fixture among the K-League season openers played over the weekend, as it weaved together three of the country's most talented strikers ever at different paths in their careers.

Cho Jae-jin, who dethroned Ahn as South Korea's top frontline option in recent years, was making his first appearance for the Motors, while Hwang Sun-hong, Ahn's strike partner during the 2002 World Cup who is regarded by many as the best Korean striker ever along with Bluewings manager Cha Bum-kun, was making his coaching debut for I'Park.

Ahn, Playing With Chip on Shoulder

In the end, it was Ahn who was grabbing the headlines with his influential performance in Busan's 2-1 win.

Ahn played the full 90 minutes with a renewed sense of urgency, looking comfortable in Hwang's three-striker offense that linked him with Han Jung-hwa and Choi Chul-woo.

After the Motors struck early with a goal by Kim Hyun-su, Ahn nearly equalized in the 24th minute, but his effort from distance was stuffed by Motors goalkeeper Kwon Soon-tae.

Ahn's aggressiveness finally paid off just before the first-half whistle, when he unleashed a right-footed screamer from just outside the box that was deflected by an outstretched Kwon. However, Han calmly knocked in the rebound to make it 1-1. Kim Seung-hyeon's second-half strike proved to be enough for Busan to escape with three points.

Despite his virtuoso performance, Ahn sounded rather cautious after the game.

``I am about 80 percent from my top form, and I need to build back my stamina," he said.

Hwang was more generous, saying that he was ``100 percent'' satisfied with the play of his former South Korea teammate.

``He is an experienced player, and I don't have to explain what I want from him," said Hwang.

Of course, it's too early to make any bold predictions for Ahn, who has rung false alarms before. After falling into Cha's doghouse last season, Ahn surprised everyone by scoring a hat trick against Seongnam Ilhwa on May 30. Of course, that ended up as his only offensive output for the Bluewings all year.

However, it's hard to argue that playing for a laid-back Hwang, who he always had a good relationship with, could offer a better situation for Ahn than when he was with the demanding Cha, who showed little patience for Ahn's tendency to walk the ball into the net.

Ko Still Has the Touch

Cha wasn't exactly missing Ahn's presence, as the Bluewings, among the favorites to win it all this year, defeated Daejeon Citizen 2-0 in Suwon Sunday with their Brazilian striker Edu scoring both goals.

Although Edu was clearly the man of the match, he had to share headlines with Citizen midfielder Ko Jong-soo, who troubled his former team with his trickery and distribution throughout the game.

Much like Ahn, Ko was once regarded among the country's top football talents, blessed with impressive skills and vision that had Cha, his former coach with the national team, compare him to Japan's Hidetoshi Nakata.

Now, Ko is mentioned as the Exhibit A for prospects who never live up to their potential, with his career derailed by a myriad of injuries and poor work ethic.

After retiring from football in 2006, Ko made a midseason comeback with Daejeon last year and was tested for 10 games. For 2008, Citizen boss Kim Ho, who also coached Ko during his days with the Bluewings, has him penciled as a starter and the 30-year-old did look like the best player on his team Sunday.

``Ko is improving day by day, and it's hard to question his ability on the pitch," said Kim. ``Now, it's more of a matter of his teammates playing up to his level.''

thkim@koreatimes.co.kr