Footballer Park Ji-su Hopes to Cement Position in National Team

Park Ji-su of Portimonense S.C. is emerging as a key defender after his impressive performance in Korea’s friendly match against Peru in Busan last week.

Kim Min-jae of Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli and Kim Young-gwon of Ulsan Hyundai are currently regarded as the best central defense duo for Korea’s national football team, which just began a new era under new coach Jürgen Klinsmann.

Kim Min-jae is the team’s superb defense weapon — good enough to be named the best defender among under-23 players in Italy’s Serie A recently — while veteran Kim Young-gwon was part of Korea’s squad for the past three World Cups.

But Kim Young-gwon is now in his mid-30s and prone to injury. He did not make the squad for this month’s friendlies due to a thigh problem.

Expectations are now building over Park, as he has shown the potential to take over Kim Young-gwon’s role.

Park started his professional career with Incheon United in 2013 and has moved several times, including a stint with Chinese club Guangzhou F.C. He was expected to play in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year, but a sudden ankle injury just ahead of the quadrennial event kept him off the final roster.

But shortly after, a new opportunity arose for him as Paulo Bento, Korea’s former coach, recommended Park to the Portuguese club. Park has started 14 games so far, gradually establishing himself there.

Park said, “I don’t think I can easily replace Kim Young-kwon or Kim Min-jae immediately, but I will try my best to compete with them and build up my strengths.”

He is expected to start a friendly match against El Salvador slated for Tuesday in Daejeon.