Hong Myung-bo vs Park Ji-sung
South Korea against South Korea. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
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.
Park Ji-sung
South Korea · 2008–10 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 89
- Rank in South Korea
- #3 of 33
- Caps
- 100 · 13 goals
- Clubs
- Kyoto Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United
United supporters called him Three-Lung Park, and the 2010 tie with Milan showed why: Ferguson gave him Andrea Pirlo, and he shadowed the Italian for 180 minutes, scoring himself in the 4-0 second leg at Old Trafford. Four Premier League titles, the 2008 Champions League and three League Cups came at Manchester United, where he was the first Asian player to start a Champions League final, in Rome in 2009. Career record: 100 caps and 13 goals for South Korea; club career at Kyoto Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United.
The verdict
The almanac puts Park Ji-sung ahead by 2 rating points, 89 against 87.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.