Park doubtful for Asian Cup play-off
Reuters - Thursday 27 January 2011, 11:55
DOHA - South Korea captain Park Ji-sung is
doubtful for the Asian Cup third-place play-off against
Uzbekistan in which victory would secure a place in the 2015
tournament.
Korean coach Cho Kwang-rae said Park was not injured but
that they were trying to "prevent injury" after he played 118
minutes of the quarter-final victory over Iran and 120 minutes
in the semi-final loss to Japan.
The match at the Al Sadd Stadium on Friday could
be Park's final appearance for Korea with the midfielder due to
make an announcement after the tournament. His father told
Korean media last month that his son would quit internationals
after the Asian Cup.
Park has won 100 international caps and is considered one of
the continent's finest players, becoming the first Asian to
compete in a European Champions League final when his Manchester
United side lost to Barcelona in 2009.
Japan and Australia will contest Saturday's final at the
Khalifa Stadium with both having secured spots in the
finals of the 2015 tournament in Australia. The winners will
also earn a place at the 2013 Confederations Cup.