Song Jong-gook Gets First Goal in 16 Months

Song Jong-gook (25-year-old, Feyenoord) knocked in his first goal this season for the Netherlands’ league.

It was the match between Feyenoord and Willem II of the Netherlands’ first pro soccer league on March 1. Receiving a pass from Ruling in the 70th minute, Song passed by a defender and kicked a shot in with his right foot from a 45-degree angle and 25m away from the net. The ball grazed by the goalie Brie Gerr’s hand and fell into the net after hitting the crossbar.

This was Song’s second goal since joining Netherlands in 2002. His first goal also was made at the game against Willem II on October 27, 2002. With his second goal in a year and four months apart, Song has a total of two goals and four assists in Netherlands’ league. Feyenoord won convincingly with a dominating 3-0 score.

There was a rumor that Song fell out of favor with Coach Mal Vic when Song was forced to the bench due to an ankle injury and poor conditioning in the first half of season. However, after recovering in winter training in Turkey, Song started six straight times in the second half of season, including the Amstel Cup, and represented his comeback as this goal.

Meanwhile PSV Eindhoven’s Park Ji-seong and Lee Young-pyo participated in the game against Rhoda JC, playing the entire game that day. Park made a strong long shot in the 67th minute but it bounced on the goal post. Eindhoven was defeated 1-2.

Soon-Il Kwon stt77@donga.com