New Delhi: Manchester United star Park Ji-sung has warned his teammates not to underestimate Japan’s Gamba Osaka in the semi-final of the Club World Cup competition and has also declared that standards in Asia are rising.
The South Korean should know. He spent two seasons in Japan with Kyoto Sanga before moving to PSV Eindhoven in 2002.
"I really enjoyed it and I had a great time in Japan," he told FIFA.com. "The culture is quite similar to Korea. It was much easier for me to adjust to life there than it was when I came over to Europe. I have got some very happy memories of playing for Kyoto - and of Japan in general. While I was there we got promoted to the J.League and we also won the Emperor's Cup, so it will be really good to go back there. I'm looking forward to showing the people there that I've grown up and that I'm a much better player than when I left."
"I have to say that I have very special memories of our promotion. I was sorry to see them relegated in the year I left, but I'm happy to see them back in the J League now."
The 27 year-old is now Asia’s most famous footballer and is delighted with the steps that football in the region has taken in recent years.
"It's amazing to think how much Asian football has developed over the past ten years," continued Park.
"There's still a big difference between European and Asian football, but the gap is getting smaller all of the time. I think a big part of that is because that there are a lot of Asian players in Europe nowadays. They're learning new skills and getting better experience - and I'd fully recommend Asian players to make the move. It's going to make them, as individuals, and Asian football better.”
Park is under no illusions that Gamba, who defeated Adelaide United earlier this week, will be a tough proposition.
"It's going to be a difficult match for us. We've played a lot of games in December and we've had to make a long journey to Japan. There's also the nine hour time difference to contend with.
"However, we've experienced that before as we've played in Asia on a few occasions and the weather is similar to England, so we don't have to get used to that, unlike some of the other teams. Hopefully, we're going to be able to show the world why we're the English and European champions."
More from Goal.comComment: EPL? Pooh!La Liga reflections: Week 15Comment: Can we have some lights please?
Comments
0 comment