This is a preview article based on materials provided by the broadcaster.
The symbol of Korean soccer Park Ji-sung and Japan's iconic legend Nakata Hidetoshi will sit face to face for the first time in the history of broadcasting on SBS' Gol Ddaerineun Nyeoseokdeul - Legend Korea-Japan Match (hereinafter "Legend Korea-Japan Match").
The "Legend Korea-Japan Match," which premieres at 10:20 p.m. on Wednesday the 3rd, will feature a full-fledged legend Korea-Japan match. From the start of the game, tension comparable to a Korea-Japan national team match filled the air, and both teams reportedly engaged in a fierce contest from the outset.
In addition to a nail-biting match, another viewing highlight is undoubtedly the one-on-one conversation between Park Ji-sung and Nakata. It is highly unusual for two figures who represented Asian soccer to sit together in one place, and the two candidly shared memories of their prime years as well as the unique, taut tension of Korea-Japan matches.
Discussing the "mentality of Korea-Japan matches," in which even rock-paper-scissors cannot be lost, Park Ji-sung said, "I still think Japan is a rival," showing unchanged vigilance about rivalry matches, and Nakata recalled, "In Korea-Japan matches, we played with the mindset that we'd fight even if our legs were broken," emphasizing the symbolism and weight of those matches. Park Ji-sung added, "At the time, we even assigned a player to mark Nakata full-time," again underlining his absolute presence.
In particular, interest is growing because Nakata Hidetoshi's postretirement daily life and values, from which he has distanced himself from soccer, will be revealed on the broadcast for the first time. The conversation will reveal what kind of life he chose during the 19 years after leaving the pitch at the young age of 29 and why he drew a line with the soccer world. The two will participate as commentators in this match, sharply analyzing both teams' movements and strategies to further heighten viewer engagement.
Meanwhile, the player lineup for "Legend Korea-Japan Match" also drew attention. The South Korean team includes Lee Young-pyo, a first-generation Premier League player; Seol Ki-hyun, a protagonist of the 2002 World Cup semifinal run; Lee Dong-gook, the K League's all-time leading scorer; striker Lee Keun-ho, who played in both the K League and J League; defensive midfielder Park Joo-ho, who experienced the European stage; Koo Ja-chul, who scored the clinching goal in the 2012 Olympic Korea-Japan match; and goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang, who appeared in 605 K League matches.
Facing them, the Japan team completes a legendary lineup with world-class Keisuke Honda, former No. 10 of AC Milan; former Olympic team captain Maezono Masakiyo; Cho Shoji, who led Japan to its first World Cup finals; national center back Nakazawa Yuji; J League all-time top scorer Sato Hisato; genius midfielder Kakitani Yoichiro; and J League's most capped goalkeeper Minami Yuta.
Fourteen legends who left the pitch after retirement will don national team uniforms again under the name "Korea-Japan match," and their fiery challenge can be seen on SBS' Gol Ddaerineun Nyeoseokdeul - Legend Korea-Japan Match, airing at 10:20 p.m. on Wednesday the 3rd.
[Photo] "Legend Korea-Japan Match"
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