Park Chu-young scores first goal since his return to K-league

This happened at a K-League Classic match between Incheon and Seoul at Incheon soccer stadium on Sunday. When Seoul’s Everton Santos garnered a penalty kick at the 7th minute in the first half, Coach Choi Yong-soo did not hesitate to give Park Chu-young a chance to kick. Park’s shot was slightly touched by a hand of goalie Yoo Hyeon of Incheon, but made it through the goal. Park opened his arms wide and ran, his signature gesture, to celebrate the feat.

It was his first goal in the K-league that he scored on the 2,562nd days since his last off a free kick at the match against Gwangju Sangmu (currently Sangju Sangmu or the military athletic team) on April 6, 2008. Both of the goals Park scored in 2008 and on the 2,562nd day were posted at a timeslot between the 8th to 9th minute in the first half of the matches on Sunday. Since his debut match since his return to the K-league in Jeju on April 4, Park scored a goal at the second match since.

Seoul allowed an equalizer to Incheon’s Kim In-seong at the 4th minute in the second half, causing the match to draw 1-1. Park played the entire 90 minutes, but still failed to display threatening moves or form teamwork with his teammates. The only shot he kicked was the penalty kick.

“Park’s physical conditions are not perfect yet. However, when given a chance, he will provide a solution and perform better at the next match,” Choi said in displaying his deep trust in Park. “If our team earns a penalty kick, I will continue to have Park kick.”

elegant@donga.com