SOUTH KOREA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Manchester United fans in Seoul watch their heroes at training session

Record ID: 336272

  • Title: SOUTH KOREA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Manchester United fans in Seoul watch their heroes at training session
  • Date: 21st July 2007
  • Summary: RONALDO DOING STEPOVERS BEFORE DIVING OVER DEFENDER'S LEG FANS TAKING PICTURES OF PLAYERS (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) 25-YEAR-OLD FAN, SEOK JUNG-SEO SAYING: "I saw (Ryan) Giggs, (Paul) Scholes, (Gary) Neville, and (Ole Gunnar) Solskjaer when they won the 98-99 treble. I am sad that two of them didn't make it here but I am so happy to see Giggs and Scholes. It brings back the emo
  • Embargoed: 5th August 2007 13:00
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  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA4S7KXQMOKB71VGS3X31B5ZDU3
  • Story Text: Hundreds of South Korean soccer fans gathered in the rain on Thursday (July 19) at Seoul's World Cup stadium to cheer as Manchester United took part in a training session.
    Manchester United arrived in Seoul on Wednesday for the second leg of their Asian tour and, despite the inclement weather, more than 500 local supporters turned out to watch their heroes.
    These fans were lucky enough to purchase the limited number of tickets available for the training session ahead of United's friendly against FC Seoul on Friday (July 20).
    Manchester United have a huge following in Seoul, especially since they signed Park Ji-Sung, the South Korean soccer star. Park is currently recovering from a knee operation.
    "My favorite player is Cristiano Ronaldo. He is good in individual skill and he can beat defenders by fooling them. He is a nice striker," said 8-year-old Manchester United fan, Uh Jun-Soo who screamed out Ronaldo's name throughout the session.
    Fans of all ages, mostly dressed in red, constantly took pictures and recorded videos of their favorite players.
    "I saw Giggs, Scholes, Neville, and Solskjaer when they won 98-99 treble. I am sad that two didn't make it here but I am so happy to see Giggs and Scholes. It brings back the emotions I felt back then," said 25-year-old, Seok Jung-Seo who supported the team during 1998-1999 season when they achieved the treble of the Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League.
    "Watching them in TV and seeing them in front of my eyes - it is amazing and the players feel so real to me," said 23-year-old fan, Baek Jong-Gun, proudly wearing his red Manchester United shirt.
    The English Premier League, who have a huge following around the world, brought 25 players on their Asian Tour, including star players like Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.
    After playing in Seoul, the team will continue their tour with friendly matches in Macau and Guangzhou, China.
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