Asia looking to Park to bring home first European Champions League winner's medal

Enlarge Photo Asia looking to Park to bring home first European Champions League winner's medal

Fri, May 16 08:04 AM

MANCHESTER, England (AP) _ A European Champions League winner's medal could be heading to Asia for the first time. Not that Park Ji-sung feels the weight of the continent on his shoulders.

The Manchester United midfielder is just focused on Moscow and being deployed against Chelsea in the first all-English final. "This will be the biggest game in my career because every player wants to be involved in the Champions League final," he said.

"I will not feel the pressure I will try and enjoy the game." Manager Alex Ferguson raised his hopes of not just staying lodged to the bench next Wednesday night.

"He has played most of our games recently," Ferguson said. "He is a fantastic professional, he gives 100 percent.

He is dedicated and is a good footballer." Once derided as "Park Bench" during two layoffs with a recurring knee injury, he was considered by some as a profitable marketing tool.

But since bouncing back in December 2007, he has helped the Red Devils retain the Premier League title and put them on course for a double. "I had injuries at the start of the season, but I came back halfway through and feel I am getting better and better," said Park, who moved to Old Trafford from PSV Eindhoven in July 2005.

"Now I feel 100 percent and am very happy about that." The 27-year-old Park featured in both legs of the quarterfinal against AS Roma and the semifinal against FC Barcelona.

"He has good intelligence on the field and we admire that," Ferguson said. "His movement and running off the ball is very good.

We are always utilizing people's abilities in the make up of the team." Added Park: "I'm very pleased to hear those words from the manager, but the team is more important than the individual.

" The final is tinged with poignancy, coming 50 years after a plane disaster on an icy Munich runway killed eight members of Matt Busby's European Cup-chasing Manchester United squad. "Of course we respect the past, but it is important to focus on the future," Park said.

"Hopefully we can make new history on the field. We have a good mix of young and experienced players.

"We are continuing to improve. I think we have the edge over Chelsea because we are more confident after winning the title.

" Even if that means being in the spotlight during the offseason back home. "It is huge game in South Korea and most people will be watching it live on TV," said Park, whose parents will fly to Russia for the final.

"When I go home it is quite difficult. Being at Manchester United means it is a huge thing and when I walk down the street most people recognize me.

" His fans extend to the top of Asian soccer, with Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed Bin Hammam praising the midfielder's work and influence on the game in the region. "Park Ji-sung is one of the best Korean and Asian players to grace the field in recent times, The AFC chief said.

"He has established himself at Manchester United with his sublime skills and speed." ____ Associated Press Writer John Duerden in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report.

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