Park Chu-young’s first score just not enough for FC Seoul

Korean soccer’s potential new striker, Park Chu-young, showed just why he is favored for a spot on the national team by scoring a consolation goal for FC Seoul with his first shot on goal in his second outing.
Two minutes before the end of regulation time, Park scored as FC Seoul trailed Seongnam Ilhwa FC during the K-league 2005 Hauzen Cup final held in Bundang, Gyeonggi province on Sunday. FC Seoul lost to Seongnam 1-2.
He had substituted for Brazilian forward Ricardo Rineu in the 61st minute, with Seoul down two goals. Kim Seung-yong sent a cross to Kim Dong-jin, who headed it to Kim Eun-jung, who then fed the ball to Park inside the penalty area for him to hit it home from the left.
Both Kim Seung-yong and Park play for the South Korean U-20 national team.
Seongnam’s goalkeeper Park Sang-chul successfully guarded the goal for 88 minutes, only to be beaten by the newcomer.
“I am happy to score the first goal although my team lost,” Park said. “I feel more confident.”
This was his second game in the professional league since his debut on March 9. He came on as a substitute, but did not score any goals in that match.
“I played longer than I expected during the first game and it was a bit difficult,” Park said. “I am not up to the full game yet. Although I am building up more power, I thought I needed to bolster my stamina a little more.”
At the Qatar U-21 International Tournament in January, Park scored a total of nine goals out of the 11 Korea made and he won the highest scorer and most valuable player awards. His strike rate is a clinical 80 percent in front of the goal.
Commenting on his goal on Sunday, Park said, “I had an easy goal because of the assists by other more experienced players. I knew it was a goal when my foot hit the ball.”
In the Sunday game, FC Seoul’s head coach Lee Young-jin fielded young players, including starting midfielder Baek Ji-hoon, as well as Kim Seung-yong and Park.
FC Seoul said it is unwilling to temporarily send Park away to compete for the Suwon Cup U-20 World Championship on March 22.
The soccer club said it would take all three youngsters to Busan for its away match on March 20.

by Kang Hye-ran, Limb Jae-un