Park Ji-sung marks 8th goal of season in EPL

By Yoon Chul

Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung broke the record of the most offense points recorded among Koreans in the English Premier League (EPL) by scoring a goal and making an assist in a 4-2 win against Blackpool, Monday (KST).

Park, who moved from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven to Manchester United in July, 2005, garnered 14 offense points netting eight goals along with six assists to oust previous record holder, Bolton Wanderers midfielder Lee Chung-yong (five goals, eight assists) in his EPL debut season in 2009-10.

With a victory at Old Trafford Stadium, the Red Devils finished top with 80 points overwhelming Chelsea, lagging nine points behind, while defeated Blackpool ends a year-long journey finishing 19th with 39 points, just one point behind the 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wolves in the league.

“As the champion ceremony is scheduled after the game I hope to win to extend my good mood,” Park said before the match began.

“I am really happy to be champion again. But the season is not over yet. I will do my best to the end,” added Park.

Manchester United left the Champions League final against Spanish club Barcelona on Sunday (KST).

“If I don’t get injured after the Asian Cup I could show better performance. But I think I managed a good season and I am satisfied,” Park said.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who lifted the 19th champion trophy, was also satisfied with this tough season.

“What a season,” Ferguson told the Old Trafford crowd. “When you look back over the years, I don’t think there’s been a more dramatic season than this, and you have to credit the team unity and spirit of the players.”

The 30-year-old Korean’s chip shot netted the first of the game in the 21st minute.

United striker Dimitar Berbatov, who is the joint top scorer of the season alongside Carlos Tevez of Manchester City with 20 goals, pushed the ball into the path of Park in the 18-yard box.

Park vied with Blackkpool defender Ian Evatt and as Evatt overcommitted, Park’s chip shot went over goalkeeper Matt Gilks for a 1-0 lead.

While Blackpool extended its hope to stay in the highest league with a 2-1 lead Park, again, made them desperate with an assist in the 62nd.

Park’s low cross from left to Anderson, who was positioned at the left flank of the box, made his shot to shake the back of the net.

In the 74th, Evatt committed an own goal and Michael Owen notched a goal in the 81st for the win.

Park, who is expected to play against Barcelona with Edwin van der Sar, Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Darren Fletcher, was substituted in the 64th minute.

“It will be a very tough match but we have prepared well,” Park said.

In the 2008-2009 season Park became the first Asian to play in the Champions League final but he failed to lift the trophy losing to Barcelona 2-0.