Пак Чжи Сон сыграл 200-й матч за Манчестер Юнайтед
Park hits double century. - Korea Times
By Kang Seung-woo Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung made his 200th appearance as a Red Devil on Monday morning (KST). The 200 matches include UEFA Champions League, League Cup and Club World Cup fixtures. The 30-year-old, the nation’s first export to the English Premier League (EPL), came off the bench in the 86th minute against Chelsea, who squandered a three-goal to see the game finish in a 3-3 draw. Park became the 92nd player to hit the double-century mark in United’s history, which were founded in 1878, reaching the landmark figure in six years and seven months. There have been around 200 players who have made over 100 appearances for the club. “It’s unbelievable. I never thought I could play for United 200 times,” Park told Manchester United Television (MUTV), which called him comfortably the most successful Asian of the Premier League era in terms of appearances. “I’m really happy at the club, with my teammates, the staff and the fans. I love playing for United and have lots of good memories from my time here.” Park joined Alex Ferguson’s side in July 2005 after a three-year stint with Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, where he scored 14 goals in 64 appearances under former Korea national team boss Guus Hiddink. He moved to Manchester with less fanfare, and scored his first goal with the English outfit in December that year in a Carling Cup match against Birmingham. Since then, he has enjoyed a storied career winning league titles in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011. Currently, United are second in the Premier League, trailing cross-city rivals Manchester City by two points. He also saw his team claim the Club World Cup in 2008, League Cup in 2009 and 2010 and the Community Shield in 2010 and 2011. Park’s highlight-reel performance with United came in the Champions League in 2008. Despite failing to even make the bench for the final against Chelsea, he contributed to beating AS Roma in the quarterfinals and Lionel Messi-led Barcelona in the semis and would receive a winners’ medal as the Red Devils triumphed. The next year, United were again in the final and this time Park made the starting lineup against Barcelona, becoming the first Asian footballer play in a European final, but saw his side shut out 2-0 by the Catalans. In 2009, he agreed a three-year contract extension, which will keep him at Manchester until 2012. This season Park, who has seen his playing time diminish due to a deep player pool in his position, has made 23 appearances including 15 in league matches and found the net three times.
