The Korea striker scores injury-time winner for Sunderland
South Korean striker Ji Dong-won started 2012 brilliantly by scoring a stoppage time winner for Sunderland in a 1-0 win over the English Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
The 21-year-old found the back of the net in the 93rd minute with the last kick of the game, barely 10 second left in injury time, to excite more than 40,000 home fans.
The Korean striker, who came on as a substitute in 78th minute, latched onto Stephane Sessegnon’s pass and rounded goal keeper Joe Hart, before rolling the ball into the empty net.
Although the video-replay suggests that Ji might have been in the offside position, Ji’s goal earned three vital points, helping the team move up to 13th in the league table, six points above the relegation zone.
“It was offside, marginally. But we ended up winning the game. We’re delighted with the three points. It was a fantastic effort,” said the Sunderland manager Martin O’Neil.
Ji also left Manchester City crestfallen. City’s manager Roberto Mancini was seen stalking furiously off the bench after Ji’s goal. With the result, Manchester City missed a great opportunity to take advantage of league rival Manchester United’s 3-2 loss to Blackburn on Saturday. The City currently remains ahead of United only on goal difference.
Ji credited Sunday’s victory to his teammates after the game saying: “The win was a big reward for our hard work in not letting Manchester City score.”
“They are one of the best teams in the league and to score the winning goal in the final minute is special,” Ji was quoted as saying on the club’s official website.
On Sunday, the Sunderland had only few chances of the game while the visitors enjoyed long spells of ball possession.
In the final 20 minutes, when Ji came onto the pitch, Sunderland looked to have settled for a draw, focusing on defending in its own penalty box. In the 88th minute, the City came close to score when Micah Richards headed the ball against the crossbar.
It was, however, the visitors who have fallen victim to Sunderland as Ji scored the only goal of the game in the dying seconds to finish the game. It was his second goal of the season.
Ji is no doubt one of the most promising young Korean players. He currently plays for both U23 and national teams. The former Chunnam Dragons target-man was outstanding during the 2011 Asian Cup, netting four times in the tournament.
He joined the Sunderland in June 2011, on a three-year deal for around $3.2 million.
Ji scored his debut goal against Chelsea in September 2011. Since then, however, the young striker seemed to struggle in adjusting to the Premier League, making only 13 appearances, 12 times as a substitute.
But Ji noted that he hopes the Sunday’s game would be a turning point.
“I have scored our first goal of 2012, so hopefully things can go well in 2012,” Ji added. The Korean striker is expected to play for Sunderland’s away clash against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday.
By Oh Kyu-wook
(
596story@heraldcorp.com)
