Park Ji-sung, Park Chu-young End Offensive Slumps

Europe-based soccer stars Park Ji-sung and Park Chu-young have broken out of an offensive slump by getting on the statistics sheet after a long drought.

In a Champions League game Tuesday, Park Ji-sung assisted in Manchester United’s second goal by Gabriel Obertan in the 73rd minute after entering as a substitute in the 28th minute. United won, 3-0, over Group C rival Bursaspor in Bursa, Turkey.

Park Ji-sung has had few chances to play this season and has scored just two goals and two assists in the Carling Cup competition. So the assist was a huge boost for the struggling midfielder and his first in four games of this year’s Champions League.

The win gave United the Group C lead with three wins and a draw for 10 points.

He hardly had time to warm up when he was unexpectedly put into the game after Nani suffered an injury. But the Korean played with boundless energy, moving back and forth to and from the left side and midfield.

After the game, he said, “I’m very glad that I helped my team win. I’d like to continue to perform well.”

In France, AS Monaco striker Park Chu-young scored his first goal in eight games and 51 days in a 2-2 home draw versus Girondins De Bordeaux at Louis II Stadium.

He tied the score in the 49th minute in scoring for the first time since his first goal of this season in a 2-2 draw Sept. 13 at Olympique de Marseille.

Against Bordeaux, Monaco led, 2-1, thanks to a goal from a free kick in the 65th minute by Mathieu Coutadeur, but Jussie tied the game eight minutes later. The draw extended Monaco’s winless streak to seven games (four draws and three losses) in the regular season.

kimsk@donga.com