Manchester United Advances to FA Quarter-finals

Park Ji-sung’s team, Manchester United, trashed its rival Arsenal 4-0.

Taking on its rival Arsenal at its home stadium of Old Trafford yesterday, the English soccer club Manchester United beat Arsenal 4-0 and advanced to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Previously, the rival match recorded a four-goal victory seven years ago in November 2001.

Park played the entire match for the second time since his comeback from the medical leave, marking his 7th play from his first comeback game against Sunderland. He has started five matches this season, and ran through the entire match twice. He previously played the entire match against Portsmouth on Jan. 31. On Feb. 6, he joined the Korean national soccer team, and contributed to its lopsided 4-0 victory over Turkmenistan. Park returned to England after the first 2010 World Cup qualifier.

After passing the ball to Fletcher from the left midfield, Park first tried shooting on Fletcher’s crossing on 12 minutes, running into the box. Eight minutes later, he crossed the ball from the right flank on his left foot, which Rooney headed into the net. But the shot went over the crossbar, depriving Park of an assist opportunity.

In the 57th minute, he unsuccessfully attempted to shoot the ball being passed from behind, dodging the defenders. With 15 minutes remaining, Park botched up a shooting chance in the box due to bad trapping.

Despite Park’s poor performance, United demolished Arsenal on Fletcher’s two goals, and two other goals by Rooney and Nani.

Having won the FA Cup more than any other team, United is now marching toward its 12th champion title, after beating the 10-time winner Arsenal.

Ranked second behind Arsenal in the Premier League (63 pts.), United (58 pts.) is driving up the momentum from the huge victory to regain the No. 1 position in the league. The victory also severed the three-game “no-win” streak of United.

United first notched up a goal on 16 minutes on Rooney’s heading from Anderson’s pass. Four minutes later, Nani delivered a measured cross on to the head of Fletcher to double the advantage. Nani found time and space in the area on 37 minutes to score the third goal for United. Arsenal was reduced to ten men on 49 minutes when Emmanuel Eboue saw red. Taking the advantage, Fletcher scored yet another goal on 74 minutes.

Commenting on his loss of several scoring chances, Park said, “One may say he wasn’t that lucky. But I have to take responsibility. I am not agitated. I will take one step at a time. Then, I will make good results.”

bluesky@donga.com