European Final Beckons For United

Ji Sung Park

Manchester United showed class, composure, and complete domination in their Champions League semi-final first leg win over Schalke on Tuesday night. A two goal win really does not represent the extent of United's controlling command over the German side, who put in an uninspiring, unadventurous and pretty poor performance in a game which the underdogs were supposed to shine.

The second leg will decipher whether Inter Milan were terribly poor in their heavy defeat to Schalke in the quarter's or United just played outstandingly well on Tuesday, but either way, United take a huge advantage into the second leg. They look the huge favourites now to face a massive test in the final where they may either face Real Madrid or Barcelona.

The first half left United fans frustrated at the lack of goals despite a barrage of chances thrust at the German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer who was outstanding all night. Chances came and went for United players all over the field - from Giggs to Fabio and from Rooney to Chicharito - the opportunities bounced about like ping pong balls. Despite the clear authority United possessed, you always have to be careful away from home with the opposing crowds ready to get at you whenever possible.

Giggs put a stop to those worries in the second half however, becoming the oldest player to score in the Champions League's history. A precious away goal which really was a joy to behold. It wasn't just that United had deservedly beaten this seemingly unbeatable goalkeeper with a cute little tap in through his legs, but it was the pass that created it. A pass crafted by a man who just seems to get better and better as the season draws to a close. A shimmy to the right and a shot faked by Wayne Rooney then led to a beautifully precise and perfectly weighted ball inside the defence into the path of Giggs to slot home.

The second was poor defending on Schalke's part, who allowed Chicharito time and space to feed in Rooney who was gifted a great chance which he duly obliged to convert past a now helpless Neuer whose outstanding performance was destroyed by his poor side. It is no wonder why he is looking to move on.

The goals had been achieved, and now Sir Alex was keen to look forward to the week end. Arsenal will have watched this fantastic attacking display, and be very wary of it. Rooney, Chicharito and Park were taken off early in preparation for the Arsenal game, a great bonus in an impressive day of Champions League football.

Bar a catastrophic meltdown which is extremely uncharacteristic of Manchester United, Sir Alex will guide United to their fifth European Cup final. That Rooney said after the game that he was slightly disappointed with a 0 - 2 away win really sums up the hunger, desire and expectation to win. He, along with every other United player - all of whom played fantastically - will be looking to finish the job in the second leg, and if they don't, they will have only themselves to blame.

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Watch: Manchester United 2 - 1 Chelsea

Ji Sung Park

Manchester United pushed aside Chelsea in their Champions League second leg clash with a 2 - 1 win on the night. Chelsea disappointed on the night, while United excelled in front of a delighted Old Trafford crowd.

Chicharito and Ji Sung Park goals were enough to see off Chelsea as their disgruntled and clearly crushed owner Roman Abramovich watched on with a silent, inner anger as he once again saw his dream of Chelsea lifting the Champions League trophy drift passed. United were just too much, and after Ramieres' sending off, a one man disadvantage gave Chelsea little chance despite getting a goal through Drogba to give them hope.

Fernando Torres started, and, as is becoming routine, he misfired, prompting his substitution at half time. United grabbed their first just before the end of the first half, to double their aggregate lead and set them on their way. Sir Alex Ferguson had made it clear that United wanted to win on the night, and Chicharito's goal through an accurate, low cross from an evergreen Ryan Giggs saw Old Trafford erupt and Ferguson's plans develop.

Chelsea often dominated in the possession stakes and managed more chances in the first half, but they had to wait until the 77th minute for their first goal of he tie. Drogba fired low into the goal past Edwin van der sar and he wheeled away in celebration, temporarily silencing the home crowd. Chelsea were back into the game and into the tie, but they still needed another goal.

Less than a minute late, United streamed down the field, and after a delightful chip over the blue defence to Park, the South Korean finished by smashing the ball into the opposite corner. It was the ultimate response. The response of Champions. European Champions? Possibly. United will be waiting for either Schalke or Inter.

Rooney had an absolute blinder of a game, his passes and his touches were outstanding, and his deep role suited him perfectly, looking more and more like a younger attacking Paul Scholes. Ryan Giggs also played brilliantly, assisting both goals while being assured and calm as always. Michael Carrick continued his form from the first leg, and John O'Shea's clever through ball for Giggs in the build up for the first goal was outstanding.

Manchester United >> Ji Sung Park Profile

Ji Sung Park

BBC Football | Ji Sung Park | Manchester United Football Club | player profile and career | Midfielder | South Korea National Team

Ji Sung Park Midfielder Manchester United

Ji Sung Park Profile

Name : Park Ji-Sung.
Place/Date of birth : Republic of Korea, 25 February 1981.
Height : 1.76 m.
Player Position : Midfielder.
Football team : Manchester United.
Number  : 13.

Career :

Youth
1999–2000 : Myongji University.
Senior
2000–2003 : Kyoto Purple Sanga.
2003–2005 : PSV Eindhoven.
2005– ... : Manchester United (Premier League- English Football).

National team

1999–2004 : South Korea U-23
2000–2011 : South Korea

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Ji Sung Park saves United, but Hargreaves' First Start Ends Badly

Ji Sung Park

It should have been a great day for Owen Hargreaves - his first start since 2008, and he would have been raring to go again after so long out. The adrenaline would have been pumping, and when the Old Trafford crowd cheered his name, he would have been determined to prove the faithful fans his worth.

Unfortunately, his dream day did not materialise. After picking up an injury in the 6th minute, he left the field in the 7th minute, clutching his hamstring. Hopefully, it is just the hamstring that he has pulled, and it isn't the recurring knee injury that has kept him out for two years. That way, he would be out for a couple of weeks/months, however, that won't be of consolation to the United man, as he limped off to the all to familiar treatment room.

Luckily, the day didn't end as badly for his team. It was a pretty poor performance overall from Manchester United, who substituted Hargreaves with Bebe, and changed around the system that had been prepared for match day. Nani was absent after a groin injury he picked up against Bursaspor, and Obertan stepped in. Berbatov was also missing, so the little Mexican Javier Hernandez replaced him up front on his own.

The first goal of the game came in the 45th minute from the inform Ji Sung Park. Fletcher saw a gap in the Wolves defence and fed in Park with a deadly accurate ball, and the South Korean made no mistake with a brilliant finish.

The second half, like the first started slowly, and only half chances came to Hernandez, Obertan and Bebe, but they were all woeful in their finishing.

However, the former Manchester United striker, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake lit up his former home with a nice turn from a Miljas pass, before firing powerfully passed Van der Sar. It all became a bit desperate from then on. Bebe's bad game was confirmed as he was substituted for Macheda in the 74th minute, and Scholes came on for O'Shea, in an attacking move.

United found themselves inside the Wolves half, attacking ad attacking, but to no avail. Wolves didn't seem like cracking from the pressure, and were even able to create a few chances of their own on the break.

But as has happened so many times over the years, the immense surge at the end of United games when they need a goal became too much for Wolves, and the Red Devils punished them in the form of Ji Sung Park again.

Fletcher was again the link to Park, and the rest was a brilliantly individual goal. After beating four defenders in the area, he finished with a low drive into the bottom corner - in the 93rd minute.

Two points behind Chelsea in the League, and still unbeaten, it was a good result, but one that was very hard fought, and done by the skin of their teeth.