- Associated Press - Friday, January 28, 2011

DOHA, QATAR (AP) - South Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung, whose goal against Portugal in the 2002 World Cup advanced the United States to the second round, is retiring from international soccer.

The 29-year-old made his 100th international appearance in the Asian Cup semifinal loss to Japan on Tuesday.

Park, a key player for Manchester United, called a news conference in Seoul on Monday. Speaking after South Korea beat Uzbekistan 3-2 in Friday’s third-place game, South Korea coach Cho Kwang-rae said Park and defender Lee Young-pyo will both retire. Park did not play Friday.

Park’s 70th-minute goal in 2002 gave South Korea a 1-0 win over Portugal, enabling the U.S. to advance despite a 3-1 loss to Poland in a game played simultaneously. The Americans defeated Mexico in the second round, then were eliminated by Germany in the quarterfinals.

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