J-League All-Stars Thump K-League
By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter
The J-League All-Stars crushed the K-League's best 4-1 in the Jomo Cup in Incheon on Saturday night.
The Japanese side rallied to score four goals, avenging its 3-1 loss in the inaugural match between Korea and Japan's All-Star teams held in Tokyo last year.
Kashima Antlers forward Marcos Gomes de Araujo of Brazil, better known as Marquinhos, scored the first goal from Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Kengo Nakamura's through pass in the 14th minute.
In the second half, Kyoto Sanga FC defender Lee Jung-soo doubled the lead, hitting a goal in the 59th. The former Suwon BlueWings player fired home with his right foot from the center of the penalty area. The 29-year-old South Korean joined the Japanese club this season, having last year played for the K-League All-Stars.
Nakamura, who set up first goal, made it 3-0 in the 72nd. In the 81st, Kawasaki Frontale's Brazilian forward Carlos dos Anjos, better known as Juninho, sealed the game, scoring a goal after a pass from Antlers midfielder Takuya Nozawa.
One minute later, Gwangju Sangmu forward Choi Sung-kuk provided some consolation, scoring a penalty goal for the Korean side to avoid a scoreless loss.
Lee was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the event, earning a 10-million-won ($8,100) prize with a Hyundai Motors Genesis.
"I am so glad that I scored a goal. We were prepared for the match. Manager Oliveira (Oswaldo de Oliveira Filho) insisted that we should win. We performed to 100 percent of our ability," the Kyung Hee University graduate said.
"We allowed many scores due to lack of responsibility," K-League All-Star team manager Cha Bum-kun said. "I told the players that they should be able to perform well as star players, but they were tired because they had games last week.
"I am sorry to many fans who cheered for us. I will do my best if I can get another chance," the 56-year-old Suwon BlueWings manager added.
"I am glad that we won. We got some chances as the K-League team made some mistakes. It was the opposite of last year," the J-League's Brazilian team manager Oliveira said.
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