Kim Dong-hyun & Chung Jo-kuk, A Hopeful Carriage and Pair

After completing 90 minute dramatic game and extension game. During the seesaw game without yield an inch, the ball passed to Chung Jo-kuk ‘New Star of Korean Soccer’ (Daeshin High School).

Chung Jo-kuk tried dribble a few times with his back to Japan` goal and turned with lightening speed and kicked with right foot between two Japanese defenders. The ball darts into Japan`s goal net.

1-0, it was the moment Korean Youth Soccer Team gained the summit of Asian soccer first for last 4 year.

At 1st, at soccer ground in Sin Doha of Qatar, there was final game between Korea and Japan for 33rd Asian Youth Soccer Game (below 20 years old).

Korea won the game with golden goal by Chong Jo-kuk after 6 minutes in extension game. So Korea gained the championship first for last 4 years and records 10 times of championship in the game.

Korea received Fair Play Win as well as Championship Cup. Kim Dong-hyun (Chunggu High School) was selected as MVP with 4 goals and 1 assist and appears as the best player of Asia.

Korean Team has already defeated Japan in two evaluation games of March. However, Korean Team had difficulties by Japanese Team`s severe defense, but decided the victory by Chung Jo-kuk`s one kick.

This championship has the meaning that the next generation Korean soccer that should maintain the best 4 of Korea-Japan World Cup 2002 is prospective.

The victory of Korean team below 17 years old gained championship in the last month and Korean Youth team this time should be evaluated positively, because they will be main players of Korean soccer in the future.

Park Sung-hwa, Director of Korean team, spoke “I am very happy for the victory by defeating Japan.” And added “We will have collective training from the end of this month for best 8 at least in World Championship Game in next year.”

stt77@donga.com