Birth Date: 16 February 1973 Height: 173 cm Weight: 63 kg Position: MF Current Club: Cerezo Osaka (JPN) Int'l Goals: 3 (as of 27 May 2002) Int'l Caps: 38 (as of 27 May 2002) First Int'l Cap: USA ( 5 March 1994)
Profile
Yoon Jung-hwan is one of the finest offensive players Korea Republic
has ever developed. A midfielder who often surges forward into
attack, Yoon's input may prove invaluable to Korea's hopes for the
2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™.
Though a skilful playmaker by trade, Yoon has laid claim to his fair
share of goals for both club and country. The roving attack-minded
midfielder has been criticised in the past for a lack of interest on
the other side of the ball. Not the most industrious of defenders
and not a physically imposing presence on the pitch, Yoon surely
makes up for it with a nose for creation and timely goals.
Regarded by many as the finest playmaking midfielder in Korea, Yoon,
after joining Japanese outfit Cerezo Osaka, played a pivotal part in
propelling the side to the final of the 2001 Emperor's Cup, scoring
six goals and setting up two in the fabulous five-game run to the
Final.
Yoon sustained his first serious injury back in 1996, and often has
had to withdraw from competition as a result of recurrences and
additional injuries.
A much-coveted offer of European football came Yoon's way in 1998,
when French club Monaco offered the midfielder a contract. However,
the move never panned out.
Yoon was ruled out of contention for the FIFA World Cup finals in
1994 and 1998, as his football didn't seem to agree with the
managerial ideals of the day. After a number of run outs with
Hiddink at the Korean helm, it seems the scampering, quick-footed
midfielder will figure markedly in the 2002 squad.
Though a move to Europe may be past feasible for a player of Yoon's
age, a standout performance for his nation at home would surely
cement the skillful midfielder's place among the pantheon of Korea's
all-time greats.
