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Newbie

Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject: Korean soccer: so it's just a joke? |
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I'm not a soccer fan, so I always figured that maybe Koreans knew what they were talking about when they got all giddy about their soccer stuff.
But, two things have just been brought to my attention: 1) Ji-sung Park isn't even a starter on Man U. Is that right?
2) "red devils" is actually the team name for Man U and not for the Korean Nat team?
I can't believe this. So, they actually have nothing to be proud of? Their soccer is just a joke and a knockoff?.... my lack of respect for modern Korea has just increased. |
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SPINOZA
Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Location: $eoul
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 4:25 pm Post subject: Re: Korean soccer: so it's just a joke? |
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Newbie wrote: |
I'm not a soccer fan, so I always figured that maybe Koreans knew what they were talking about when they got all giddy about their soccer stuff.
But, two things have just been brought to my attention:
1) Ji-sung Park isn't even a starter on Man U. Is that right? |
That's not fair, but admittedly he's played a lot less this season than last. He has been injured of late and mainly the reason he's had fewer opportunities this season is due to the outstanding form of United's other midfielders (including newer signing Michael Carrick) rather than any shortcomings Park has. Mind you, PJS is a popular figure because he tries hard.
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2) "red devils" is actually the team name for Man U and not for the Korean Nat team? |
Well, it's both. But 'Red Devils' is Manchester United's nickname (which in fairness is never used) and the Koreans appear to have stolen it.
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I can't believe this. So, they actually have nothing to be proud of? Their soccer is just a joke and a knockoff?.... my lack of respect for modern Korea has just increased. |
Don't be too harsh. They've got some good players and Park nearly made the final of the Champions League in 2004/5. He scored a goal against AC Milan in the semi - which is something not many players can boast. But the K-League is dire stuff for sure. |
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venus
Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 4:30 pm Post subject: |
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Went to a few K-League games at world cup stadium and saw them play the Netherlands a few years ago in a peace-cup match.
Unfortunately, (and I'm no big soccer fan or expert) your observation are correct. I couldn't believe how amateurish the play was... it was actualyl like watching a group of British high School kids playing. Seriously...
Fun day out though, lots of beers (you can drink in the stadium) and dried squid and no violence.... |
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just because

Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 5:19 pm Post subject: |
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Park Ji Sung is in the regualr rotation of 17 players and does start a good bulk of those games...
Man U's manager is a huge fan of him due to his work ethic and his good attitude on the field and in the locker room....
Just an aside but I actually saw on a spanish language broadcast that Christiano ronaldo and Ji Sung are best friends in the team. that is sure one interesting pairing...
Another plus to him is he has tried hard to learn English to the point now where he can conduct normal interviews in English which no other korean player overseas can.....he is the whole package. |
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n3ptne
Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Location: Poh*A*ng City
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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Pak Ji-Sung is a starter, and he is in very good standing with both the fans, and the management at Manchester.
In addition...
Red Devils is the name of a Serbian, Egyptian, Belgium, Congo, Argentine, Mexican, and Chilean soccer team.
It is actually not the name of the South Korean team, rather Red Devils is the name of their fan support group. The name is derived from the 1983 Mexico Youth World Cup when the international media called the Korean team, the "Red Furies", which translates approximately to "Red Devils", and was officially adopted by them in 1997.
The Korean National Team's nicknames are the Asian Tigers, and the Taeguk Warriors.
Manchester's nickname is a coincidence. It comes from the devil on the team's club badge and was adopted in the 1960s.
Having said all that.. soccer is like hockey without the entertainment. |
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cj1976
Joined: 26 Oct 2005
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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Park Ji Sung or "God" as he is known in some parts of Korea, is not a bad player but the cynic in me says he was purchased more with potential merchandise revenue in mind, rather than his ability as a player. How many PJS shirts have you seen over here, as well as other Man U gear?
As for their nickname, most people in the UK just call them "The Manc Scum". |
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seoulsucker

Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Location: The Land of the Hesitant Cutoff
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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Go to a K-league regular season game and play connect the dots with the people in the stands.
Look for a proper pitch anywhere in the city of Seoul.
That should let you know how serious Koreans are about soccer. |
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spliff

Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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Red Devils is a name used by many sports teams...my HS football team was named that. Also, Korea has a good team 2nd best in Asia! So...what's so funny?  |
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caniff
Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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just because wrote: |
he is the whole package. |
Have you told him about your feelings? Maybe you could arrange a meeting at some mutually-agreed location and see if you could take this higher.
He's single, right? And you're a woman, right? Give it a shot! The worst he could say is no. |
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dutchy pink
Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Location: Incheon
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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I could be wrong, but i think he only played in 14 games this season due to 2 different injuries. In 14 games as a non-starter he scored 5 goals and had 2 assists. Against what teams, I don't know. But really not a bad stats. He's not the best in the world, but is certainly no slouch. |
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Guri Guy

Joined: 07 Sep 2003 Location: Bamboo Island
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 9:06 pm Post subject: |
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Soccer is just another vehicle for nationalism in Korea unfortunately. Interest in the national team is huge but support for the domestic K-League is abyssmal.
It's a shame really. |
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Milwaukiedave
Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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The sport of soccer is a joke. |
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TheBrain

Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Acme Lab
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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Yes. |
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pugwall
Joined: 22 Oct 2006
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Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 12:20 am Post subject: |
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PJS is pretty good. He will still get a champions medal as he has played enough times which means he was part of the championship winning team. Which makes him pretty good. The K-League isnt amazing but nor are many leagues outside of Europe. |
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robot

Joined: 07 Mar 2006
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Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 12:37 am Post subject: |
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Milwaukiedave wrote: |
The sport of soccer is a joke. |
hmm... maybe that statement's a bit hyperbolic, but i'd certainly agree that hockey is far superior.
recently i saw my first live soccer match, and i was shocked by the amount of diving in the sport. i was embarassed for the team it was so bad.
as for the interest value, i can understand how one might eventually come to appreciate the low-scoring, back-and-forth nature of the game as somewhat chess-like in strategy. as for me, though, 90 minutes of watching crying fakers zigzaggingly aimlessly and goallessly across a patch of grass is about as interesting as a 2-million-won kindie split shift. hockey is equally strategic, but its intensity brings it to much higher level...
plus, as dave eggers once noted, only commies play sports with their feet.
ROBT. |
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