Ahn Jung-hwan

This is a Korean name; the family name is Ahn.
Ahn Jung-hwan

Ahn with Dalian Shide in 2009
Personal information
Date of birth (1976-01-27) 27 January 1976
Place of birth Paju, Gyeonggi, South Korea
Height 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position Second striker / Attacking midfielder
Youth career
1995–1997 Ajou University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1998–2002 Busan Daewoo / Busan I'Cons 54 (27)
2000–2002 → Perugia (loan) 30 (5)
2002–2003 Shimizu S-Pulse 38 (14)
2004–2005 Yokohama F. Marinos 34 (16)
2005–2006 Metz 16 (2)
2006 MSV Duisburg 12 (2)
2007 Suwon Samsung Bluewings 15 (0)
2008 Busan IPark 19 (4)
2009–2011 Dalian Shide 65 (18)
Total 283 (88)
National team
1997–2010 South Korea 71 (17)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

† Appearances (goals)
Ahn Jung-hwan
Hangul 안정환
Hanja 安貞桓
Revised Romanization An Jeonghwan
McCune–Reischauer An Chŏnghwan

Ahn Jung-hwan (Hangul: 안정환; Hanja: 安貞桓; born 27 January 1976 in Paju, Gyeonggi) is a South Korean former football player. He made world headlines by scoring the winning golden goal for South Korea against Italy in the 2002 FIFA World Cup second round, and earning him dismissal from the Italian club Perugia.

Ahn also played for clubs in Japan, France, Germany and China, as well as being selected for South Korea in two more World Cups, in 2006 and 2010.

Football career

After starting his professional career with K League's Busan Daewoo Royals, Ahn joined Serie A's Perugia on loan in 2000–01. In a 2013 interview, he claimed to have been ostracised at the club, and bullied by his captain, Marco Materazzi.[1]

In the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Ahn scored an extra-time header in the round of 16 game against Italy that sent the South Koreans through to the quarter-finals. The next day, Perugia owner Luciano Gaucci cancelled his contract and was quoted as saying, "I have no intention of paying a salary to someone who has ruined Italian football." Gaucci stated that his decision was not due to the goal, alleging comments by Ahn about the Italian nation. South Korean national manager Guus Hiddink criticised the decision.[2] Gaucci later took back what he had said, and attempted to take up the £1.2 million option to sign Ahn on a permanent basis. Ahn rejected the offer of a three-year contract and refused to turn up for pre-season training despite Perugia claiming ownership of his registration, saying "I will no longer discuss my transfer to Perugia, who attacked my character instead of congratulating me for a goal in the World Cup." Busan also claimed that they had not been paid by Perugia.[3]

Ahn then attempted to secure a permanent move to another European club but failed and returned to Asia, joining J. League Division 1's Shimizu S-Pulse. After one season, he moved to another J. League team, Yokohama F. Marinos. After this successful spell in Japan, he returned to Europe to play for French team FC Metz in July 2005. He scored 2 Ligue 1 goals (Round 1 & 18) in 16 outings.

Ahn with MSV Duisburg in 2006

On 16 January 2006, Ahn was invited to train with Blackburn Rovers but twice failed to show up, one of the dates being on his birthday. In February he secured a 17-month deal with MSV Duisburg in Germany. He scored two goals (Round 31 and 32) in 12 outings. However, the German club was relegated from the Bundesliga, as Ahn saw a move to Heart of Midlothian of the Scottish Premier League fall through.[4] On 31 August 2006, he was released by Duisburg, and returned to South Korea in January 2007, joining Suwon Samsung Bluewings on a one-year deal.

Previously, Ahn was selected for South Korea's 2006 FIFA World Cup squad in Germany, and came off the bench to score the winner in Korea's 2–1 opening match win over Togo, after coming from a goal down at halftime. Thus, he became Asian football career leader in goals scored in the World Cup, with three.

On 14 March 2007, Ahn scored his first goal of the season against Daejeon Citizen, with a first-half pass from Lee Kwan-woo. He went on to score a hat-trick in a 4–0 win, in only his third game of the season. He was quoted after the match: "I felt good before the game and I knew I was ready. It feels wonderful to have a great game and make the Suwon fans happy."

After the 2006 World Cup, new South Korea manager Pim Verbeek announced his new 23-man squad for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, and Ahn was left out. Verbeek then said that his decision was not based on personal issues, as the player was clubless.

In 2008, Ahn returned to the Daewoo Royals, now renamed Busan I'Park. In 2008, he steadily improved his game and overall performances and, for the first time in 22 months, was recalled to the national team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifications match against Jordan.[5]

According to reports,[6] Ahn's agent investigated the possibility of a move to several Major League Soccer sides, but there were no teams interested in using a Designated Player slot to sign him. He has also been linked with Australian A-League club Sydney FC.[7]

In March 2009, Ahn signed a three-month contract with Chinese Super League side Dalian Shide.[8] He became the key player in the club and scored his first CSL goal on 18 April 2009.[9] He extended his contract to December 2010 with Dalian Shide in June, despite that J-League club Oita Trinita had an intention to sign him. Ahn was promoted to team captain in season 2010.

Ahn officially announced his retirement on 30 January 2012. He departed football knowing that many people viewed him as one of South Korea's greatest-ever players.[10]

Personal

Ahn is sometimes called "the Lord of the Ring" by Korean fans. He married former Miss Korea Lee Hye-won (Hangul: 이혜원) in 2001[11] and got this nickname by kissing his wedding ring after every goal he scores.

Other than football, Ahn is noted for his model-like looks and has appeared in numerous make-up ads. The Korean media often states the similar facial appearance between the footballer and actor Cha In-pyo. Both view the statement as a compliment.

Club career statistics

Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
South Korea League KFA Cup League Cup Asia Total
1998Busan Daewoo RoyalsK League175--168--3313
1999241410107--3521
2000Busan I'Cons138--72--2010
Italy League Coppa Italia League Cup Europe Total
2000–01PerugiaSerie A15410---164
2001–0215120---171
Japan League Emperor's Cup League Cup Asia Total
2002Shimizu S-PulseJ. League Division 1103321012157
200328114342333919
2004Yokohama F. MarinosJ. League Division 125121110433114
200594-0033127
France League Coupe de France Coupe de la Ligue Europe Total
2005–06MetzLigue 1162------162
Germany League DFB-Pokal Other Europe Total
2005–06DuisburgBundesliga122-----122
2006–072. Bundesliga0000-
South Korea League KFA Cup League Cup Asia Total
2007Suwon BluewingsK League15010105--265
2008Busan IParkK League1941082--286
China PR League FA Cup CSL Cup Asia Total
2009Dalian ShideChinese Super League266---266
20102410---2410
201115200--152
Total South Korea 8831305124--14255
Italy 30530----335
Japan 7230866211119749
France 162------162
Germany 122-----122
China PR 651800---6518
Career total 2838814657261111365131

National team statistics

Korea Republic national team
YearAppsGoals
199730
199800
199941
200051
200140
2002135
200372
2004155
200561
200682
200700
200830
200900
201030
Total7117
Source:[12]

Honours

Club

Individual

International goals

Results list South Korea's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1
12 June 1999 Seoul  Mexico 1 goal 1–1 1999 Korea Cup
2
20 December 2000 Tokyo  Japan 1 goal 1–1 Friendly match
4
16 May 2002 Busan  Scotland 2 goals 4–1 Friendly match
5
10 June 2002 Daegu  United States 1 goal 1–1 2002 FIFA World Cup
6
18 June 2002 Daejeon  Italy 1 goal 2–1 (2–1 a.e.t.) 2002 FIFA World Cup
7
20 November 2002 Seoul  Brazil 1 goal 2–3 Friendly match
8
31 May 2003 Tokyo  Japan 1 goal 1–0 Friendly match
9
4 December 2003 Tokyo  Hong Kong 1 goal 3–1 2003 East Asian Cup
11
14 February 2004 Ulsan  Oman 2 goals 5–0 Friendly match
12
9 June 2004 Daejeon  Vietnam 1 goal 2–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
13
23 July 2004 Jinan  United Arab Emirates 1 goal 2–0 2004 AFC Asian Cup
14
27 July 2004 Jinan  Kuwait 1 goal 4–0 2004 AFC Asian Cup
15
12 November 2005 Seoul  Sweden 1 goal 2–2 Friendly match
16
13 June 2006 Frankfurt  Togo 1 goal 2–1 2006 FIFA World Cup
17
16 August 2006 Taipei  Chinese Taipei 1 goal 3–0 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification

References

  1. ↑ "South Korea World Cup hero Ahn Jung-Hwan recalls racist slurs during time with Perugia in Italy". The Daily Telegraph (London). 16 January 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  2. ↑ "Hiddink condemns 'childish' Perugia". BBC News. 20 June 2002. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  3. ↑ Snow, Mat, ed. (September 2002). "The Saga of Ahn Jung Hwan". FourFourTwo (Teddington: Haymarket Magazines) (97): 21. ISSN 1355-0276.
  4. ↑ "Jung-Hwan set to wait for Hearts". BBC Sport. 16 May 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  5. ↑ 안정환, 21개월만에 대표팀 승선 (in Korean). Daum.net. 20 May 2008.
  6. ↑ "MLS Player Watch". washingtonpost.com. 1 December 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  7. ↑ "Czech it out: Sydney's new coach to look abroad after disappointing year". smh.com.au. 27 March 2009. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  8. ↑ 徐弘带队欢迎安贞焕加盟 实德先租三个月 (in Chinese). sports.qq.com. 20 March 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  9. ↑ 安贞焕两球李凯头球建功 中超第5轮大连3:1杭州 (in Chinese). titan24.com. 18 April 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  10. ↑ "South Korean World Cup legend Ahn Jung-Hwan bids emotional farewell after announcing his retirement". Goal.com. 31 January 2012.
  11. ↑ "Ahn Jung-Hwan: I Want To Stay In China". goal.com. 25 April 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  12. ↑ Record

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ahn Jung-Hwan.
Awards
Preceded by
Ko Jong-soo		 K-League Most Valuable Player
1999 		Succeeded by
Choi Yong-soo
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, February 02, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.