Park Scores in Man United Win
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Manchester United winger Park Ji-sung scored the opening goal in a 3-1 win over Arsenal in the semifinals of the Champions League in London on Tuesday, sending Alex Ferguson's side to the final for the second straight year.
United, which edged the Gunners 1-0 in the first-leg match at home last week, won 4-1 on aggregate to put the English club in a position to bid for its fourth Champions League title, which it won previously in 1968, 1999 and last year.
Manchester will play either Chelsea or FC Barcelona in the title match, scheduled for May 27 in Rome. In last season's final, it defeated Chelsea 6-5 in a penalty shootout.
The 28-year-old South Korean international put the defending champion ahead in the eighth minute after he capitalized on a slip by Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs, who tried to clear Cristiano Ronaldo's cross, and sent the ball over Gunners goalie Manuel Almunia into the net.
Three minutes later, United doubled the lead as Portuguese striker Ronaldo found the net with a 35-meter bullet.
The FIFA World Player of the year wrapped up United's scoring spree at 61 minutes as he back-heeled the ball to Park, who sent a cross-field pass to Wayne Rooney on the left. Rooney crossed the ball for Ronaldo, who rifled it past Almunia on the edge of the area for his 25th goal of the season.
``I've said it many times, we should have won this cup more times than we have,'' Ferguson said. ``We've got the hunger and the quality.''
``I am glad to contributing to the team winning and advancing to the final,'' Park told reporters after the game.
``A two-week-long rest helped me regain my form a lot. We have played Chelsea and Barcelona, so any team will do in the final.''
For Park, it's his first Champions League goal since he joined the Red Devils in July 2005, and his second career goal in the tournament, Europe's most prestigious club football competition.
He scored against AC Milan in the semifinals in May 2005, while playing for PSV Eindhoven of the Dutch league.
The midfielder, who also struck against Middlesbrough in Saturday's Premier League match, has notched four domestic goals this season ― three in the Premiership and one in the FA Cup ― and 12 goals total since his arrival at Old Trafford.
Park to Take Field in Final
After being left out of the final game last season, Park appears set to play in Rome.
Park performed well in last year's competition, and was a big contributor in Manchester title run.
He played the full 90 minutes in four games through the quarterfinals and the semifinals against AS Roma and FC Barcelona, respectively, fueling high hopes that Park would become the first South Korean footballer to play in the final of the Champions League.
But he failed to make the final roster, and was not even on the bench.
Given the post-match comments from Ferguson, it looks likely that Park will take the field this time.
``He's one of the most underrated players,'' Ferguson said,
``He came back from South Korea tired last month but we gave him a break for two weeks. He's refreshed and you saw the results of that against Arsenal.''
``Park never stopped running and his movement and use of space was very good. I don't think he'll be disappointed (in the final) this time.''
Park also made clear his desire to get on the pitch.
``I am looking forward to the championship match. Every player wants to play in the final and I also do so,'' Park said.
``I will try my best to take the field in the final and provide solid performance in the rest of the league matches.