Hwang Sun-hong

Hwang, Sun-Hong (Korean: 황선홍, Hanja: 黃善洪, born July 14, 1968) was a South Korean football player; he announced his international retirement following the end of the 2002 World Cup tournament.

Profile

• Birth Date: 14 July 1968
• Height: 183 cm
• Weight: 79 kg
• Position: Forward
• International Goals: 49 (as of 27 May 2002)
• International Caps: 97 (as of 27 May 2002)
• Club Honours: J-League Top Scorer with 24 goals (1999), J-League Best Eleven (1999)

Biography

During most of the last 2 decades Hwang was regarded as a Korean scoring sensation. He made his international debut against Japan on December 6, 1988, and was spearheaded the Korean national team from the 1990 World Cup to the 2002 World Cup, with injury forcing him to miss the 1998 tournament.

A dangerous striker who excelled in putting the ball into the net, Hwang was South Korea’s most consistent forward for much of the past decade, and his absence due to injury played a major part in the team’s poor showing in France 98. Hwang was South Korea’s outstanding player in the 2001 Confederations Cup, scoring against Mexico and Australia, as well as against Germany in the 1994 World Cup. He was arguably one of Asia's finest finishers in recent times, and was short-listed for the prestigious Asian Player of the Year award in 2002.

Club career

At club level, Hwang initially boycotted K-League draft system with Hong Myung-Bo as a youngster to play in Europe - where he joined 2. Bundesliga outfit Wuppertaler SV Borussia during the season of 1992/1993, he scored 3 goals in 9 appearances until he injured his knee. After his brief stint in Europe, Hwang spent much of his career in the J-league and enjoyed his most prolific season with Cerezo Osaka in 1999 with 24 goals in 25 matches, making him top scorer in the J-league charts.

World Cup 2002

Even as he approached the ripe old age of mid-30's, Hwang remained a highly effective striker who could always get himself into good scoring positions. He was an important part of the 2002 World Cup squad, where his wilyness and vast international experience lended a steady hand to Guus Hiddink's young players.

The veteran Korea stiker ended his international career after the 2002 World Cup. Prior to the 2002 World Cup Hwang had made 97 appearances for the South Korea national football team, scoring an impressive 49 goals, which meant he averaged a goal every 2 matches.

In late 2003, having finally hung up his boots, the legendary striker has now turned his attention to coaching.

Club history

• Leverkusen amateur team (1991)
• MSV Wuppertal (1992)
• Pohang Steelers (1993-1998)
• Cerezo Osaka (1998-1999)
• Suwon Samsung Bluewings (2000)
• Kashiwa Reysol (2000-2002) - on loan
• Chunnam Dragons (2003)