Good Bye Fergie & Beckham

    Recently, a person who was a football manager at Manchester United (MU) retired from manager. His name is Alex Ferguson. His career as Manchester United's manager is about 27 years from 1986 to 2013. He was a soccer player during 17 years. In 1974, he started a career of football manager. At first, he was a East Stirlingshire team manager in Scotland. And then, team names that Fergie managed were St. Mirren, Aberdeen. Meanwhile, Manchester United scouted him as a manager in 1986. His first season ranking was 11th. Next season, MU was ranked at 2nd. Before 1998, MU's ranking was going up and down. In 1998-99 season, MU made great achievements. That was treble trophies : Premium League, FA Cup, UEFA Cup Champions League. In those days, MU's members are so-called 'Fergie's children' : David Beckham, Nicholas Butt, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Philip Neville and transfers. Fergie's children means they learned MU youth team. Thanks to treble success, Ferguson was bestowed an honorary knighthood by England royal family. After that, MU won League, FA Cup, Champions League several times. MU have a deep connection with Korea because of Ji-Sung Park. Park was also scouted by Ferguson. Ferguson cherished Park. During Fergie was a MU manager, MU won 38 times the championship. And Fergie selected the best club manager in 21C.

    

Now, Fergie's children almost retired except for Ryan Giggs. Near the time when Ferguson retired from manager, David Beckham also retired at Paris Saint-Germain. David Beckham was a member of MU from 1993 to 2003. In 1993, his age was 17. So, he went to Preston North End on loan to accumulate experiences. After the period of loan, he came back MU. In MU, he helped his team to won the championship. His speciality was a accurate kick. His cross is called delivery. He gradually became a core player in the team. But, after he married Victoria Beckham, he was a entertainer rather than a soccer player. So, the relationship with Ferguson deteriorated. In the end, Beckham transferred to Real Madrid. In the team, he was also a core player. Afterward, Beckham changed his team several times : LA Galaxy, AC Milan(loan), Paris Saint-Germain. I'm certain Beckham was one of the best soccer players in the world. World fans don't forget Ferguson and David Beckham.

(David Beckham burst into tears in retirement match)

Lion King, LEE DONG GOOK

   Have you ever heard about Lion King Lee Dong Gook? Lee Dong Gook is a Korean representative striker. His ability attracted our attention from childhood. He selected MVP and top score many times. Thanks to these awards, he was selected in a member of national team, aged 19. In 1998, The World Cup was held at France. In the match with Netherlands, he threw a powerful mid-range shot. Lee aged only 18 was very bold. So, people all around the world started to pay attention to him. People gave him a nickname. That is Lion King because of his hair style. After the end of the World Cup, he became a member of national teens teem and Olympic team. His abilities were gradually improved. From 1998, he was a member of the club team named Pohang Steelers. In the team, he was also ace. Meanwhile, he injured. So, he went to Germany to treat. At that time, Korean Football Association encouraged young players to go abroad. So, Pohang sent on loan him to Werder Bremen of Germany's Bundesliga. But, he didn't heal completely. Sure enough, Bremen didn't appoint him starting line up. In the end, he came back Pohang. During 2 seasons, his team finished as a runner-up. In 2002, unfortune was coming. Lee didn't enter a national team in 2002 Korea World Cup because of his laziness. Lee, disappointed at himself, made an effort to playing soccer. So he became a member of national team. In Korea, there is a benefit if the player gets a gold medal in Asian Game. That is exemption from military service. Unfortunately, a national team got a bronze medal. After the Asian Game, he went to military soccer team named Gwangju Sangmu Bulsajo. In the team, he is very energetic. And he changed his play style from altruistic to active and rational. In 2004, he came back Pohang. During 2004-05 season, he joined 20-20 club (20-20 means a player made 20 scores and assisted 20) He made a long drive taking advantage of victory. However, God gave him hardship in 2006. He injured his knee a month before World Cup. From 2002 World Cup to 2006 World Cup, he didn't play soccer as a member of national team. After healed completely, he was scouted by Middlesbrough in Premium League. During debut game, his volley shot hit the goal post. From then on, he sometimes played soccer as a starting line up. But, he didn't make any score. So he was criticized by media and Korean. Finally, he came back K-League. From 2009, he became a member of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. As a member of the team, he made an enormous effort. In 2010, he was given chance. That was a participation of World Cup. He selected a national team. During the preliminaries, he made many goals. So, he expected World Cup. However, there was the news, like a bolt from the blue. He injured his thigh. Korean thought Lee would not participate in World Cup. Fortunately, his injury was recoverd before the World Cup. The second time had Lee participate in World Cup since he first participated in 1998 France World Cup. In the round 16 match against Uruguay, he missed a crucial goal chance from Park Ji Sung's pass. In the end, Korea didn't advance the quarterfinals. After finished the World Cup, Lee was criticized. But, Lee didn't give up. In 2011-12 season, he did the most assists in K-League. In next season, he recorded the most goals in K-League history. He is now a captain of the team. His speciality is volley shot and turnning shot. I attached fantastic goals video.

Fantastic Freestyle Football -Part. 2-

   The previous post talked about foreign football freestyle player. Today, I introduce the Korean football freestyle players. First player is Woo Hee Young. He is a Korean. He is famous in Korea as well as the world. He is now a chairman of World football freestyle federation. He got the European national football skills competition in 2002. And he can do various skills. So, he cast Nike advertisement model with Ronaldinho. I tell a interesting anecdote. Ronaldinho, recognized Mr. Woo's ability, ask Woo signature. Who is he? Ronaldinho is the best soccer player. It is unbelievable for Ronaldinho to ask Woo signature. Thanks to this anecdote, Korean as well as foreigner take an interest in Mr. Woo more an more. ( This hyperlink is Nike CF making film - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH8Tby6lcHQ&feature=player_embedded) In fact, he was a soccer player. But, he had to stop doing soccer because of injury. He was very depressed because he cannot help give up his dream. He wanted to playing soccer. Meanwhile Mr. Woo saw a attracting soccer player named Diego Maradona. Maradona had unique ball control abilities. Mr. Woo, inspired Diego Maradona, practices soccer skills. Finally, he becomes one of the best football freestyle players in the world. He also did marvelous thing. Once Mr. Woo did ball lifting with a head. It is during 4 hours, 46 minutes and 34 seconds that Mr. Woo didn't drop the ball from a head. That record recognized the Guinness Book of Records. He is now the coach in FC Seoul youth academy.

    Second player is Jeon Kwon. Anyone who likes soccer can hear about his name. He is 25 years old. When he was a high school student, he went to England and only brought about 270 dollars. In Europe, he performed his ability. At first, Europeans have an indifferent reaction. But, many people are interested in his performance gradually because of his excellent skills. As he became famous in Europe, Korean is starting to be interested in him. He entered Hankuk University of Foreign Studies through nonscheduled admission on the basis of his performance experiences. His skills are so improved that he is offered to CF or the performance of international dimensions' event, such as FIFA World Cup, UEFA Cup and so on. In 2010, He got a second grade in World Soccer Freestyle competition. After that time, he kept on rolling. He was selected for a national freestyle team. After only 2 years, he became a judge of World Soccer Freestyle competition. It means he is the best freestyle player. He is now managing JK Art Soccer Academy. In there, Anyone can learn soccer skills.(This hyperlink is Jeon Kwon is doing performance in Europe - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ7W1Vrs0zU)

   Finally, I introduce a boy named Seung Jae. He is 22 years old. From elementary school to middle school, he was a soccer player. But, he couldn't do soccer as a player because of poor physical condition. So, he stopped a career of soccer player. However, he didn't hide a passion of soccer. So he has played soccer as a hobby since he stopped. His skills are very good. He is University student. Do you know who he is? He is my brother!!!!!!! I attached a video that my brother does a 'tennis ball' lifting.

Fantastic Freestyle Football -Part. 1-

   Have you heard about football freestyle? It means players perform acrobatic movements with a ball. It does not simply mean doing individual skills during the match. Football freestyle becomes one of the soccer genres. Nowadays, many people are interested in football freestyle. So, some freestyle academy is founded all around the world. Korea also follow the trend. From now on, I explain famous football freestyle players in the world.

   As you saw, I posted a blog that I wrote my favorite soccer player named Ronaldinho. Ronaldinho is the best football freestyle player. He is very skillful. He plays as if the ball is attached on the feet. So, experts named his skills. One of the famous his skills is Flip flap(or called Elastico). Flip flap is as soon as a player dribbled the ball to the right side, he quickly turns to the left side by using ankle's power. (This hyperlink is Ronaldinho does the Flip flap - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXqPEpeokCg&feature=player_embedded) And, the second skill is no-look pass. Of course, this skill is not his own skill. But, when we think no-look pass, we recall his name. No look pass is a player passes different direction. (This hyperlink is Ronaldinho does no-look pass -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiYLbcRaFkw)  

    Second player is Cristiano Ronaldo. C. Ronaldo is a member of Galactico Ⅱ. Galactico Ⅱ is a policy of Real Madrid. Real Madrid scouted many star players, such as C. Ronaldo, Kaka, Benzema, Ozil, Di Maria, Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa and so on. C. Ronaldo is typical the type of dribbling. Many soccer fans are enthusiastic about his skills. Dribbling that he is good at is snake dribble. Snake dribble means the player dribbles quickly as if a snake is moving. Its skill is very splendid. (This hyperlink is snake dribble - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFpV-6CFPuE ) And, another C. Ronaldo's skill is back short. When a player is quickly running, he changes direction. Then defender undergoes step-over because of a sudden change. (This hyperlink is back short - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8dcGqO3Rqc)

   Are you excited?? Next post, I'll introduce representative Korean fooball freestyle players as well as a surprising boy.

We Should Now Change - Role Model : The European Youth System

    As you read, I wrote the problem of Korea's soccer education before. In brief, the coach doesn't manage each player's abilities but focusing on the result. Then, the coach get some extra money. The coach only teaches tactics to players, not basic skills. Although it is possible for the team to win the match, their skills probably decrease. Second, there are some violences in the club. If juniors make some mistakes, the coach would scold juniors and seniors in the name of joint responsibility. Seniors, unfairly scolded by the coach, take it out on juniors. While Korea's soccer education is formed, How did the European soccer education develop?

    European soccer education is managed in the form of club youth system. In club youth system consists of the team A, B, C ,D....... Thess teams are assorted on the basic of the ability. If a player improves his ability, he would go up the upper team. And, European teams have their own philosophy from youth team to club team. From youth team, players learn the team's philosophy. That means players learn the same formation continuously. Then, youth players, improved their abilities, can play the upper team easily. Also, in European team, a coach is leading the team for a long time, while Korea's team coach is shortly changing. If a coach leads the team for a long time, the team's color would be clear. But, if a coach is shortly changing, players would adapt new environment whenever the coach changes. Then, the team is easily swayed. Finally, the European youth team is playing the second division. It means the youth team can have strengthen the competitiveness.

    There are some representative examples of successful youth system, such as Barcelona, Ajax, Real Sociedad, Real Madrid and many Spain, Germany club teams. One of them, Barcelona youth system is now very perfect. Barcelona's typical formation is 4-3-3. From youth team to club team use 4-3-3 formation. So, youth player can easily adapt the club team. And, Barcelona team's famous tactic is Tiki taka. Tiki taka means a ping pong ball is coming and going. Their players use many short passes. So the opponent is very confused.

    To develop Korea's soccer education, youth team should be managed with a focus on the club. Between youth team and club team, it must have many exchanges. And, a coach 's periods of change is long. Then a perfect team would be made.