Park Chu-Young is arguably the most talented goal-getter in the history of Korean football since Cha Bum-Kun. A clinical finisher with creativity and intelligence, Park is regarded by many as the one to solve his country’s problem in front of goal at the 2010 FIFA World CupÔ finals.
Park came into prominence at the 2004 AFC Youth Championship in Malaysia, where he single-handedly led his country to their 11th continental title. In the process, Park also won the golden boot with six goals, including a brace against China PR in the final, as well as the competition’s Most Valuable Player award.
After rounding off the memorable year by grabbing the Asian Young Player of Year trophy, he went on to score nine goals in an eight-nation Qatar Friendship Cup in January, making himself the hottest property ahead of the K-League season in 2005. He subsequently joined FC Seoul and finished runner-up in the scoring chart with 18 goals in 30 games, which was enough for Park to be voted unanimously as the Rookie of the Year.
His prolific form did not go unnoticed by then Korea Republic coach Johannes Bonfrere, who gave Park his first cap against Uzbekistan in the qualifying for Germany 2006. Not surprisingly, the No10 scored the last gasp equaliser in a 1-1 draw in Tashkent, before helping his country seal their sixth straight qualification for the finals by netting his second against Kuwait in June 2005.
However, his first appearance at the FIFA World Cup was not to be a fond memory for Park, who had to wait for his chance sitting on the bench in Korea Republic’s two opening games. He did start in the final group match against Switzerland but he was given a yellow card for a reckless tackle that led to the first goal for the Swiss. Park was replaced in the second half as the Taeguk Warriors were eliminated following a 2-0 defeat.
He seemed to have lost his inspirational touch since then, slumping to a lengthy goal drought in the following two seasons at Seoul. So when AS Monaco approached him in the summer of 2008, Park did not hesitate and decided to try his luck in Ligue 1. And, as he was adapting well to the French top flight, it was only a matter of time that would receive an international call from coach Huh Jung-Moo.
Having scored twice in the third round of the Asian Zone qualifying for South Africa 2010 before his move to France, Park was required to score more goals against stronger opponents in the final phase. And that was exactly what he did in the all-important encounter with Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, where he fired Korea Republic’s second to complete a famous 2-0 victory in November 2008. Park went on to score the crucial goal against UAE in June 2009 that secured his country’s place at the world finals, just as he did four years previously.