| By Wang Meng Meng | ||
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South Korean players rushing to hug teammate Kim Sun Bin (right), who scored their first goal in the final. -- ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI |
AT THE end of the 80 minutes of football, Suh Myeong Won became a regular teenager again.
Exchanging high-fives with his teammates, applauding the fans and consoling the vanquished, the exhausted South Korean striker walked around the Jalan Besar Stadium pitch with his socks rolled down, soaking up the occasion.
But what the 14-year-old had just accomplished was anything but ordinary.
He was the heartbeat of his team as they beat North Korea 2-0 to claim the Asian Youth Games (AYG) football title.
In coach Chung Jung Yong's all-conquering, all-singing and all-dancing ensemble that romped to the title with eight straight wins, the Portsmouth Under-14 player was at the centre of their best moves.
Although he did not score yesterday, leaving his tournament tally at seven goals in eight games, Myeong Won showed that he could still contribute by having a hand in his side's goals.
Chung, who has rationed his praise for his team throughout the competition, did not hesitate to give a glowing appraisal of his No. 20's display.
He said: 'Myeong Won is a player who has done a lot for the team. He will be a great player. He will do well at Portsmouth and he will be a player South Korea will rely a lot on in the coming years.'
Starting as the tip of the sword in South Korea's 3-4-3 system, centre-forward Myeong Won was subjected to some heavy marking by the North Koreans, who strung five players across the back.
Still, he bolted away from the defenders with his repertoire of flicks and tricks.
More importantly, his sense of mission helped him decide that a simple square pass sometimes could be the best solution as opponents closed in.
Little wonder that his tormenting of the North Koreans thrilled the girls among the estimated 1,500 spectators who shrieked at his moves.
In the 21st minute, his header set up a shooting opportunity for wide forward Kim Sun Bin, who lashed home with an angled drive.
And, when North Korean defender Ri Nam Jun was sent off by Bruneian referee Shabudin Hadimin five minutes after the interval for a professional foul on Shim Je Hyeok, there was no way back for coach Paek Kil Song's boys.
Five minutes later, Myeong Won made the numerical superiority count when his through-pass released right-midfielder Lee Woo Seok, who squared for the unmarked Kim Young Gyu to score with an outrageous chip.
Outside the stadium, the exhausted striker trooped into the team bus, sipping his isotonic drink.
'Very hungry,' he said, excusing himself from the interview.
His work at the AYG is done. If he goes on to achieve Chung's vision, Singaporeans will be able to brag: 'The boy's a bit special. And we saw him here first.'
In the earlier bronze-medal match, Iran beat China 2-0 through goals from Armin Sorrabian (18th minute) and Siavash Haghnazari (35th).
