Birth Date: 12 February 1969 Height: 181 cm Weight: 73 kg Position: DF Current Club: Pohang Steelers (KOR) Int'l Goals: 9 (as of 27 May 2002) Int'l Caps: 127 (as of 27 May 2002) First Int'l Cap: Norway ( 4 February 1990)
Profile
At 32 years of age, Hong Myung-bo is nothing short of a footballing
legend in his native Korea Republic. A veteran of three FIFA World
Cup™ finals, Hong is the fine glue holding the Korean back line
together. He could prove to be a make-or-break element to Korea's
lofty hopes for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan.
The defensive bastion and unquestionable fan-favourite is one of
only a few players the world over to amass more than 100 full caps
for his country. Making his debut 12 years ago in 1990, Hong wasted
no time finding his way into the South Korea squad that took part in
the 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy.
Playing in the centre of defence, the Korean captain is known for a
no-nonsense, self-assured approach and a fine eye for distribution
out of the back.
Following an outstanding performance in a first round exit in 1990,
Hong signed up with Korean side Pohang Steelers, where the battling
rearguard was named K League MVP in 1992 and to the League Best
Eleven in '92, '94, '95 and '96.
Hong started to get his worldwide recognition when he scored twice
in the first round of the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA against Spain and
Germany.
After a string of stellar performances for both club and country,
Hong moved on to Japan's J League and Belmare Hirasseuka in 1997,
leading the side to the Asian Club Championship, before joining up
with Kashiwa Reysol, where in 1999 he was named J League Most
Valuable Player after an outstanding season.
The defender's experience, coolness under pressure and sheer panache
may well see the Koreans into a first-ever berth in the knockout
phase, playing in front of adoring bands of supporters.
In 2000, Hong became the first-ever Korean to captain a Japanese
club side, as his contributions with Kashiwa Reysol of the Japanese
J League simply could not be denied or overestimated.
After suffering a serious injury, Hong returned to Korea's K league
with Pohang Steelers, where he remains today, tormenting bold,
unaware attackers.
South Korea's Dutch manager Guus Hiddink is happy to have a fit Hong
available for a fourth FIFA World Cup. ""I am very happy with his
attitude. He's very clear-minded and positive,"" Hiddink said about
Hong.
