I hope players from other countries besides Korea and Japan will actively enter Europe.”
In an interview published on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) website on Thursday (June 24), Jeonbuk Hyundai Director Park Ji-sung expressed his pride in Asian football and his affection for South Korean footballer Son Heung-min.
Park, who is also a soccer administrator, 토토사이트 was appointed to the AFC Professional Football Task Force in March and will also serve as the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Task Force Chairman.
As the new face of Asian soccer, Park has led the way for Asian soccer’s expansion into Europe. A key player in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup quarterfinals, Park has become a role model for many younger players as he has flourished in Europe.
“When I played in the Korea-Japan World Cup, I wanted to represent Asian soccer and show that we can compete with the best teams in Europe,” Park said, “I am proud to have represented Asia and hope that more Asian players will have the opportunity in the future.”
Indeed, from Park Ji-sung to Ki Sung-yong, Lee Chung-yong, Ji Dong-won, and Son Heung-min, many Korean players have played in Europe. Son Heung-min, in particular, was the PL’s top scorer last season.
“I’m very happy to see Son Heung-min doing well in the PL, but if I had a wish, I’d like to see other nationalities besides Korean and Japanese players play in world-class leagues,” Park emphasized.
At the last World Cup, Asian teams had a strong showing, with Korea, Japan, and Australia all advancing to the round of 16. “Asian teams have made a strong impression in the past few World Cups,” Park said, “and this is due to players actively going to Europe.”
