박지성 MOM 선정 소식이 전해졌다.
8년 만에 PSV 에인트호벤 복귀전을 치른 박지성이 외신으로부터 ‘경기 최고의 선수(MOM, Man of the Match)’에 오른 것.
박지성은 21일(이하 한국시각) 네덜란드 에인트호벤 홈구장 필립스 스타디움에서 열린 AC밀란과의 유럽축구연맹(UEFA) 챔피언스리그 예선 플레이오프 1차전에 선발 출전, 68분 동안 맹활약하며 팀의 1대1 무승부에 큰 역할을 했다.
네덜란드 에인트호번소재 필립스 스타디움의 유럽축구연맹(UEFA) 챔피언스리그 플레이오프 1차전 AC밀란(이탈리아)과의 홈경기에서 박지성(왼쪽)이 상대 필립 멕세스와 공을 다투고 있다. (AP-연합뉴스)
이날 박지성은 오른쪽 측면 공격수로 나서서 공격과 수비를 오가며 녹슬지 않은 기량을 과시했다. 과거 맨체스터 유나이티드 전성기를 떠올리게 하는 모습이었다.
박지성이 68분 뛴 거리는 8820m로, 풀타임을 뛰었다면 12km에 달하는 활동량이다.
골닷컴 영국판은 박지성에서 “박지성이 PSV에서 두번째 데뷔전에서 특유의 헌신적인 플레이를 펼쳤다”며 평점 4점(5점 만점)을 부여하고 ‘최우수선수(Top of Match)로 선정했다. 양팀 선수중 4점대를 받은 선수는 박지성이 유일했다.
이날 골을 넣은 같은팀 마타브슈는 3개 반을 받았고, AC밀란의 에이스 마리오 발로텔리도 3개 반에 그쳤다.
이 매체는 박지성에 대해 “나이를 가늠할 수 없는 활동량과 압박을 보여줬고, 공격에서도 훌륭한 기량을 발휘했다”고 극찬했다.
한편, 이날 무승부로 본선 진출팀은 1주일 뒤 이탈리아 밀라노의 산시로 스타디움에서 펼쳐질 플레이오프 2차전을 통해 가려지게 됐다.
박지성은 오는 25일 헤라클레스와의 에레디비지에 4라운드 원정에서 2경기 연속출전에 도전한다.
<관련 영문 기사>
Park Ji-sung returns to PSV Eindhoven with relish
Eight years after Park Ji-sung parted ways with PSV Eindhoven, the South Korean midfielder was again roaming Philips stadium on Tuesday, as the Dutch team celebrated his return by holding Italian powerhouse AC Milan to a 1-1 draw.
The 32-year-old veteran started for PSV in game one of the Champions League playoff matches against Milan, playing for 68 minutes despite a recently sustained injury.
Park connected several timely passes and covered 8.81 kilometers, living up to his nickname “oxygen tank” given by South Korean fans for his energy and work ethic.
While not quite as active as he was in his heyday, Park led his younger teammates with his abundant big-stage experience. The entire PSV squad has played only 62 games in the Champions League, with Park active for 54 of them.
Despite Park’s efforts, Milan jumped to an early 1-0 lead with Stephan El Shaarawy’s goal in the first half.
About 15 minutes into the second half, Park hit Jeffrey Bruma with a pass which Bruma converted to a mid-range shot. Although the shot was deflected by Milan’s goalie Christian Abbiati, Tim Matavz pounced on the ball the score the equalizer.
The former South Korean captain was replaced by Florian Jozefzoon midway through the second half, but not before thunderous cheers from the home crowd. The Dutch fans welcomed Park back with “Song for Park,” which used to ring in the arena during Park’s three-year stint with the team.
PSV and Milan will play their second leg of the European club tournament at San Siro Stadium in Milan next Wednesday. The result will determine which team will advance to the group stages.
The relationship between PSV and Park dates back to 2003: Park had just made his name on the international stage as a member of South Korea’s famed 2002 World Cup squad that made it to the semifinals of the tournament. Park’s breakout performance, including his winning goal against Portugal in South Korea’s final group match, helped him establish his reputation as one of the world’s promising new talents.
Guus Hiddink, who led the national team to its success in the World Cup, became the head coach of PSV after the tournament and took Park under his wing in 2003. Park rose to stardom in the three seasons he played for his manager and mentor.
He became the first South Korean to score a goal in the Champions League in 2005 against AC Milan.
In 2005, Park moved to Manchester United and became the first South Korean to play in the English Premier League. There, Park became a key player of manager Alex Ferguson’s squad that garnered multiple honors including three straight league titles from 2006-07 to 2008-09.
Park signed with Queens Park Rangers after the 2011-12 season. His transition from support to leader, however, was unsuccessful as he was ailed by injuries the entire season and was eventually stripped of captaincy.
The 2012-13 season turned out to be a dismal one for QPR as well, as they finished at the bottom of the standings and was relegated to the second division. After the season, Park moved to PSV on a one-year loan.
By Yoon Min-sik(
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)
