Chelsea's South Korean star eyes World Cup success - FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
Park Jisung ranks as Asia's most successful export to England thus far, this thanks to a trophy-laden seven-year spell with Manchester United. However, with the former Korea Republic captain having bid farewell to the UK three years ago, the baton has now been passed to, among others, his compatriot Ji Soyun. And just like Park before her, Ji is representing the world's largest continent with some distinction.
The 24-year-old midfielder made headlines in her adopted country when she won the FA Women's Player's Player of the Year award in her debut season, this as her Chelsea Ladies side narrowly missed out on FA Women's Super League title. In doing so, she became the first Asian to claim this individual accolade. "It was an honour for me to earn that prestigious award," she told FIFA.com, reflecting on her first English season, "I am aware that I am representing not only my country but also Asia, so I always strive to become a better player here."
Global impact
Even before her move to England at the start of last year, Ji had made a name for herself with a series of eye-catching showings for both club and country. A product of Dongsan Info & Industry HS, she made an immediate impression in the international arena in the 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup, netting a brace against Chinese Taipei to become the youngest goalscorer in Korea Republic women team's history at the age of 15 years and 282 days.
"I started playing football in my early elementary school years and I often played football with the boys," she recalled, "I believe such early experiences helped with my progress."
Her development would gather further pace during the years that followed. After winning the Summer Universiade MVP award with Hanyang Women's College in 2009, she went on to claim the Golden Boot in that year's AFC U-19 Women's Championship with four goals as Korea Republic finished runners-up to seal a place at the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Germany.
It was at that global showpiece that she truly announced her emergence as a star in the making. The lively attacker scored eight times, including a treble in the 4-0 opening rout of Switzerland as her side secured an unexpected third-place finish. Such performances saw her pick up both the adidas Silver Boot and Silver Ball awards, second only to Germany prodigy Alexandra Popp in both categories.
Blessed with exceptional pace and skill, Soyun continued to dazzle. As a result, she bagged the KFA Women's Footballer of the Year award four times on the trot while also being named Asian Women's Footballer of the Year in 2013. Chelsea coach Emma Hayes lauded her as "one of the best midfielders in the world", though Ji was quick to confess that she is more comfortable in the role of second striker
"I can play well and show my best skills when I am played behind the centre-forward, " explained Ji, who has been dubbed "Jimessi" by Korean media and fans due to her similar playing style to the Barcelona star. "That's where I am most confident."
World Cup hopes
Having tasted success at the club and youth international levels, Ji has now switched her sights to this year's FIFA Women's World Cup™ in Canada. The Taeguk Ladies are still seeking their first victory at the tournament ahead of this, their second appearance but Ji, with 30 international goals to her name, is itching to showcase her predatory talents.
"It is my first Women's World Cup," she said. "I have been dreaming of playing in such a competition and of course I will give my all to help my team achieve the best results."
Qualifying for the latter stages will be a tall order for a Korea Republic side that has been drawn alongside Brazil, Spain and Costa Rica. Ji, though, believes that her year-and-a-half in England has helped prepare her for the challenge.
She said: "The first test I had to pass with Chelsea was the challenges by the physically stronger European players and their aggressive style. To counter that, I have tried to quicken my judgement and pace, and that has proved effective. I believe these experiences will bolster my performance in the Women's World Cup."
In their only previous FIFA Women's World Cup at USA 2003, Korea Republic lost all three group matches, conceding 11 goals while scoring just once. For Ji, Canada 2015 provides her and her team-mates with an opportunity to make history.
"It goes without saying that our opponents are all strong," she said."However, we should keep in mind that we are representing our country. We will do whatever we can to qualify for the second round."