‘Superman’ Park Joo-ho (35, Suwon FC) has ended his playing career.
Suwon FC suffered a 1-3 upset loss to Ulsan Hyundai on Saturday in the 17th round of the Hana OneQ K League 1 2023 at Suwon Sports Complex. Ulsan (13W, 2D, 2L, 41 points) maintained their lead at the top of the table with their third win in three games. Suwon (18 points) remained in ninth place.
Park Joo-ho’s retirement game was the center of attention. Suwon head coach Kim Do-gyun put Park in the starting lineup, and in the sixth minute of the first half, fans clapped for 60 seconds to honor Park’s jersey number.
Park shook off the rust in the 14th minute with a sharp cross. He even went for an overlap in the second half, and showed an embarrassed smile when he failed to receive a pass from Lee Seung-woo. Park left the field in the 92nd minute as a substitute. Suwon fans honored the legend’s final appearance with a standing ovation.
After the game, Park was once again congratulated by his teammates and held a retirement press conference. Here is a one-on-one interview with Park.
- How do you feel about your retirement?
It wasn’t easy to decide to retire in the middle of the season. Once I made the decision, I felt at ease. I wish I could have brought the result to the game, but I have no regrets against Ulsan, a strong team. I did my best to finish my 16-year professional career.
- How would you rate your career?
I continued to fulfill my goals. I kept challenging myself. I have no regrets. At the end of the day, I would give myself a 100.
- Why did you decide to retire?
I’ve been thinking about retirement since last year. I wanted to retire on the field while I was still playing, when I was in better shape. Last year, my wife was unwell, and I didn’t want to look like I was retiring like her. When I got myself together and thought about how much passion I had left for soccer and how much longer I could play, I realized it was too much. So I decided to retire.
- Why did you retire at a time when the team was not performing well?
When I announced my retirement to the team, we were in fifth place. I thought the players could do it without me. I thought we could strengthen in the summer transfer market, so I told the team in advance. Then we went on a losing streak and things got tough.
- What is your happiest memory?
There are many happy moments in the K League. It was when we won the sub-championship with Ulsan. Today is also a happy moment. It was also good when we moved up to the top split last year. I was disappointed when we were runners-up in Ulsan.
- Which player did you ask for retirement advice?
I didn’t tell my teammates. I decided at the last minute and only told my friend Lee Yong. I didn’t tell the players until after the Jeonbuk game. It’s something that can be agitating. I talked to my family and company a lot. 메이저사이트
- What kind of player were you?
I was a player whose style always changed. The coach asked me to play different positions, and I did my best to fit in with the team.
- Did the J-League send you congratulatory messages?
A friend contacted me from Japan and said he saw the retirement news. I talked to Shinji Kagawa about it. We had a lot of sympathy for his retirement. Sergio, the coach of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, also contacted me.