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Hiddink to coach Park at All-Star Game

July 9, 2014 - 20:30 By Korea Herald
Guus Hiddink (File photo)
Former South Korean men’s soccer team head coach Guus Hiddink will coach a team led by his prized pupil at the upcoming K League Classic All-Star Game, league officials said.

The league said Hiddink will be the head coach for “Team Park Ji-sung,” which will feature the former South Korean captain.

Park’s squad will go up against the team of the K League Classic All-Stars, as voted by fans, league head coaches and team captains, on July 25 at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

Hiddink guided South Korea to the semifinals at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, cohosted by South Korea and Japan. Park, then a 21-year-old up-and-comer, scored the winner in the 1-0 victory over Portugal in the final group stage match to send South Korea to the knockout stage for the first time.

South Korea has yet to match the historic feat. Park went on to play in two more World Cups and captained the 2010 squad to the round of 16 in South Africa.

Park announced his retirement in May and said the upcoming All-Star Game will be his final appearance before South Korean fans.

The final All-Star rosters will be announced on July 17. Park has said he will recruit his friends in football for the occasion. (Yonhap)