Park targets Asian Cup glory

Manchester United winger Park Ji-Sung says he is determined to captain South Korea to success at the Asian Cup in Qatar.

Park and his team-mates, who finished third in the last Asian Cup finals, have been preparing for the tournament in nearby Abu Dhabi.

But the 29-year-old Manchester United attacker admits his side will face stiff opposition in the opening group phase.

“We have to get through the group stage (against) Bahrain, Australia, India,” he said.

“It’s not an easy group. Our goal is win this title but first we have to get through the group stage and focus on those three games.”

The 16-nation tournament gets under way on January 7, with Middle Eastern football fans getting a taste of what the 2022 World Cup may bring the region.

South Korea have won two Asian titles in their history but last triumphed in 1960, on home soil.

“We have to prepare well in Asia cup because we haven’t won in 50 years so we really want to win this title,” he said.

Park’s club side leads the English Premier League but will be without him for up to six matches while his is on international duty. The former PSV Eindhoven star hopes the trip will be worth the sacrifice.

“It’s a bit of a strange feeling, you know, because the club team is still playing in the league game,” he said.

“At the moment it’s a very important time and my focus was good for me, so it’s not easy to leave the club but I am always happy to join the national team because it’s my pride, my country.”

South Korea’s opening match is against Bahrain in Doha on January 10.