Soccer stars

Dream teams battle it out

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos courtesy of 411 Entertainment

The JS Foundation was established in February last year by Manchester United midfielder Park Ji Sung to promote football in Asia. To raise funds for the foundation, the Asian Dream Cup 2012 football match was arranged to take place in Thailand. The game was between the Park Ji Sung and Friends team and the Thai All Star team.

STAR-STUDDED TEAMS

The day before the competition, 31-year-old Ji Sung and 38-year-old local star player Kiattisak Senamuang (Sigo) revealed the names of their team players at a Paragon Park press conference. Park Ji Sung and Friends turned out to be packed with prominent international players and Korean celebrities, including Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand, Japanese striker Kazuyoshi Miura, Korean World Cup hero Ahn Junghwan and actor Song Joong Ki.

Sigo’s Thai All Star team also had a strong batch of players and celebrities including Chon Buri Football Club striker Akarawin Sawasdee, Bangkok Glass striker Teeratep Winothai (Leesaw) and young Thai actor Kao Jirayu.

IN THE RUNNING

Ji Sung received warmed welcome from Thai fans at the press meeting. The Korean sports star said that this was his first time in Thailand.

“I’m thrilled and thankful for your great support, and my team is ready for the game tomorrow!” he said.

When Song Joong Ki and Running Man TV hosts Ji Suk Jin, Gary, Ha-Ha, Kim Jong Kook, Lee Kwang Su and Song Jihyo took to the stage, the crowd screamed wildly. Joong Ki said that he was a fan of football and felt honoured to participate in the event.

Jong Kook said that he and the other Running Man hosts were well prepared for the match.

“We’ve had plenty of training because we always have to run around during our show!” he said.

PERFECT MATCH

The crowd at the match was an even mix of football followers and showbiz fans. Many of the latter screamed loudly and held up support signs when their favourite stars hit the field.

During the first half of the game, Thai striker Teerasil Dangda from Muangthong United scored the All Star’s first goal. Later in the game, the Bolton Wanderers’s Lee Chung-Yong scored his second goal, putting the Korean team in the lead at 2-1.

During the mid-game break, K-pop boy band MBLAQ entertained the audience with their dance songs “This Is War” and “Oh Yeah.”

In the second half, Akarawin Sawasdee scored another goal for the Thai team. He then went on to score a further two goals, ending the Asian Dream Cup game triumphantly for the Thai team with a score of 4-2.

 

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