(2nd LD) After 76 matches, football defender Cha Du-ri bids teary farewell to int'l football

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By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean footballer Cha Du-ri bid a teary farewell to international football on Tuesday, wrapping up a 14-year career that included appearances at two FIFA World Cups.

Cha, 34, played in his 76th and final match for South Korea against New Zealand at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The right fullback served as the team captain and stayed on for 42 minutes before leaving the field to a rousing standing ovation from some 33,500 fans. New Zealand players also applauded Cha on his way to the bench.

Cha's teammates consistently looked for him on the right wing, hoping Cha would set up a goal or score one himself in his international swan song. South Korea ended the first half without a goal, however, and midfielder Son Heung-min had his penalty stopped by Stefan Marinovic in the 38th minute.

South Korea went on to prevail 1-0 on a late goal by substitute Lee Jae-sung. In celebration, the players went to the bench and embraced Cha.

At his retirement ceremony held during halftime, Cha received a commemorative plaque and a pair of gold spikes. Standing in the middle of the field, Cha became visibly emotional after watching a special video produced in tribute to his career.

"I've received way more love and support than I deserve, and I am grateful for that," Cha said, choking back tears. "I might not have been a great player, but I always tried my best. My fans recognized that, and I am leaving international play a happy man."

The ceremony became even more poignant when Cha's father, a South Korean football great Cha Bum-kun, came on to the pitch to present his son with flowers. The junior Cha embraced his father and cried on his shoulder, as the cheers grew louder.

Cha Bum-kun is widely considered one of the country's finest football players ever, having enjoyed a memorable Bundesliga career in the 1980s. He also had successful stints as head coach in South Korean club football. Cha Du-ri has often said it was difficult to leave his father's shadow.

In his post-match press conference, Cha mused further on his relationship with his father.

"When I saw him on the field today, a lot of memories came flooding back to me," the junior one said. "At the start of my career, I wanted to become a better player than my father, and I believed I could be. Then at some point, I ran into a wall. From then on, I decided I just wanted to feel happy playing football."

Asked why he became so emotional upon seeing his father at the ceremony, Du-ri said it was due to a mixed bag of emotions.

"I felt as though some huge weight had been finally lifted off my shoulders," he said. "And at the same time, I was disappointed at myself that I never became as great a player as he was. I also resented him for having been such an outstanding player, because I could never be as good no matter how I tried. Still, he's long been my role model, the man I love and respect the most. Having him as my father is the greatest gift to me."

Cha quipped that his gut feeling told him Son, one of his closest friends on the national team, wouldn't be able to score on that first-half penalty.

"He even asked me to take the shot first, but there was no way I was going to take it," Cha said. "We still had to win the match. But after the miss, I could see how hard the guys were trying to win this match. I am really grateful."

He'd planned on retiring after the Asian cup in January in Australia, but head coach Uli Stielike called him up one last time for Tuesday's match, saying "the legend" deserved a chance to bid farewell to fans at home. Stielike also said he'd prefer to have Cha play before the retirement ceremony, rather than have him watch the team from the stands, because Cha is still active in club football with FC Seoul in the K League Classic.

Cha, a forward-turned-defender, made his international debut in 2001 as a collegiate player. He represented South Korea at FIFA World Cups in 2002 and 2010 and reached the knockout stage at both tournaments.

As South Korea's oldest player at the Asian Cup in January, Cha enjoyed a strong tournament on both ends, setting up goals with speed and sharp passes on offense, while foiling opponents' scoring opportunities with physical play on defense.

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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