Ahn Jung-hwan vs Hong Myung-bo
South Korea against South Korea. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Ahn Jung-hwan
South Korea · 1999–2006 · SS
- Almanac rating
- 84
- Rank in South Korea
- #8 of 33
- Caps
- 71 · 17 goals
- Clubs
- Busan IPark, Shimizu S-Pulse, Dalian Shide
In the 117th minute against Italy in Daejeon on 18 June 2002, he met Lee Young-pyo's cross with his head and sent the co-hosts into the quarter-finals, and Perugia terminated his contract the following day. Fourth place at that World Cup and selection in its All-Star team stand alongside the J1 League he won with Yokohama F. Marinos in 2004, the 1999 K League MVP award, and another World Cup goal against Togo in 2006. Career record: 71 caps and 17 goals for South Korea; club career at Busan IPark, Shimizu S-Pulse, Dalian Shide.
Hong Myung-bo
South Korea · 1990–2002 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in South Korea
- #4 of 33
- Caps
- 136 · 10 goals
- Clubs
- FC Pohang Steelers, Shonan Bellmare, Kashiwa Reysol
In Gwangju on 22 June 2002 he walked up to take South Korea's fifth penalty against Spain and buried it, sending the hosts into a World Cup semi-final. He was voted the tournament's third best player and took the Bronze Ball, the first Asian to finish in a World Cup's top three, after 136 caps, four World Cups from 1990 to 2002 and a place in the 2002 All-Star team. Career record: 136 caps and 10 goals for South Korea; club career at FC Pohang Steelers, Shonan Bellmare, Kashiwa Reysol.
The verdict
The almanac puts Hong Myung-bo ahead by 3 rating points, 87 against 84.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.