Korean players seize spotlight in Japan, Europe

Korean players in the Japanese pro soccer league performed well in the opening matches of the year Saturday.

Hwang Sun-Hong of Kashima Reysol fired a goal in the 17th minute of the first half during his team`s 2-1 win over Shimizu S-Pulse in the first match of the 2001 J-1 League season.

Combining with his Korean teammates, Hong Myung-Bo and Yoo Sang-Chul, Hwang sent a sizzling shot at the right corner of the penalty box, which hit a defender and deflected into the goal.

In the Cerezo Osaka-Consadole Sapporo match, Yoon Jung-Hwan of Cerezo Osaka, who made a good combination with Kim Do-Keun, scored on a penalty kick Kim earned in the 32nd minute of the second half. However, Cerezo Osaka lost to Consadole Sapporo 1-2.

In the J-2 League, Park Ji-Sung of Kyoto Purple Sanga helped his team to draw 2-2 with Yamagata Montedio with an equalizer with just one minute left in the second half. Choi Mun-Shik of Oita Trinita also scored one goal in the match against Omiya Ardijia.

Meanwhile, Choi Seong-Yong, playing at Austria`s Lask Lintz, scored his first goal in two games in the Austrian First League Saturday. He made it 1-1 with a header in the 44th minute of the first half in a match against FC Tirol Innsbruck.

Kwon Soon-Il stt77@donga.com