Park JS Has Season’s 1st Assist in Win

Park Ji-sung posted his first assist of the season as Manchester United beat Fulham at home, 3-0, Sunday evening.

United coach Sir Alex Ferguson elected to list Park as a substitute, and put him in the game in the 73rd minute. Park had played in the team’s six previous matches.

Luis Nani and Antonio Valencia starting at the wings, but Wayne Rooney was the star of the game. Rooney opened the scoring in the 46th minute off of Nani’s pass.

Ferguson then replaced Valencia with Park. When the Korean hit the field, United’s home fans yelled, “Don’t sell my Park! If you sell my Park, you’re gonna have a riot on your hands!”

Park immediately went to work in opening up Fulham’s defense dominating the left and center of the field.

Rooney scored his second goal in the 84th minute off a cross from Dimitar Berbatov. Just five minutes later, Berbatov headed in a cross from the left flank by Park for the final score.

Park’s first assist of the season followed his second goal of the season in a Champions League game against AC Milan Thursday.

The Manchester Evening News gave Park a player rating of six for his “outstanding assist,” generous considering his short 20-minute appearance, as did Sky Sports.

creating@donga.com