Choi Sung-kuk
Choi with Suwon Samsung Bluewings in 2011
Personal information
Full name Choi Sung-kuk
Date of birth (1983-02-08) 8 February 1983 (age 41)
Place of birth Seoul, South Korea
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Position(s) Second striker
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2002 Korea University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2006 Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i 84 (10)
2005 → Kashiwa Reysol (loan) 8 (0)
2007–2010 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 49 (7)
2009–2010 → Gwangju Sangmu (draft) 48 (13)
2011 Suwon Samsung Bluewings 12 (1)
Total 201 (31)
International career
1997–1998 South Korea U17 6 (2)
1999–2003 South Korea U20 20 (12)
2001–2006 South Korea U23 40[α] (3)
2002–2011 South Korea 26 (2)
Medal record
Representing  South Korea
Men's football
AFC Asian Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Indonesia/Malaysia
/Thailand/Vietnam		 Team
Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place 2002 Busan Team
AFC Youth Championship
Gold medal – first place 2002 Qatar Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals
Choi Sung-kuk
Hangul
최성국
Hanja
崔成國
Revised RomanizationChoe Seong-Guk
McCune–ReischauerCh'oe Sŏngguk

Choi Sung-kuk (born 8 February 1983) is a former South Korean footballer who played as a second striker. He was banned by FIFA from all football-related activities because of his involvement in match fixing.

Early life

Born in Seoul, Choi began playing football at Donggok Elementary School.[2] While he played for Jeongmyeong High School,[2] his talent earned him a nickname of "Korean Maradona".[2] After graduated from high school, Choi attended Korea University for two years.

Club career

Choi joined K League club Ulsan Hyundai Horang-I on 27 February 2003.[3] He adapted quickly to the professional league, scoring seven goals in his debut season.[4] He was nominated for the K League Rookie of the Year award, but lost out to Jung Jo-gook.[4]

In his second season, Choi couldn't concentrate on his club by playing for Olympic team, and scored only one goal during 19 league appearances. He was loaned out to J1 League club Kashiwa Reysol ahead of the 2005 season, but didn't make the reversal of his flow for five months.[5]

Choi became the top goalscorer in the 2006 Korean League Cup, showing his improvement the next year. He also left a memorable game against Al-Shabab in the 2006 AFC Champions League, where he led Ulsan to a 6–0 victory by destroying opponents' defense as well as scoring two goals. [6] He moved to Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma after the 2006 season.[7]

Choi went on a trial at Championship side Sheffield United after the end of the 2007 season,[8] but the club decided against signing him.[9] Choi who remained in his country participated in the 2008 Jomo Cup contested between all-star teams of K League and J.League. He led K League to a 3–1 win by having a goal and an assist in the Jomo Cup and was selected as the MVP of the match.[10] In December 2008, Choi enlisted in military football team Gwangju Sangmu to fulfill his military duty.[11]

Choi moved to Suwon Samsung Bluewings prior to the 2011 season, signing a three–year contract.[12] Shortly after, he was announced as the new captain for Suwon.[13] However, Choi was implicated in match-fixing scandal while playing for Gwangju Sangmu.[14] He denied his involvement when media reports raised the allegations about throwing matches,[15] but soon admitted it as the scandal deepened.[16][17] Consequently, he was tentatively dropped from his team and stripped of his captaincy.[18]

It was officially announced in August 2011 that he would not be able to play in all leagues in South Korea permanently.[19] It was announced that Choi would join Macedonian club Rabotnički on 16 January 2012,[20] but following investigation, FIFA imposed on him a lifelong ban from all sports.[21] His move fell through after the Football Federation of Macedonia rejected his registration.[22]

International career

While at Jeongmyeong High School, Choi was called up to South Korean under-17 team for the 1998 AFC U-16 Championship, and scored two goals in six appearances.[23]

Choi was selected for South Korean under-23 team for the 2002 Asian Games, helping his team finish third.[24] He then won the 2002 AFC Youth Championship with South Korean under-20 team.[25][26]

In March 2003, Choi was called up to the senior national team for the first time, and made his debut in a 0–0 draw against Colombia.[27][2] He scored his first senior international goal in a 1–0 victory over Oman in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification.[28] He then played for the under-20 team in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship despite suffering an injury.[29][30] He got only two caps in the tournament, but was selected as one of twelve notable players by FIFA.[31]

Choi also participated in the 2004 Summer Olympics, where South Korea reached the quarter-finals.[32]

Choi was called up to South Korea's squad for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.[33] He scored a goal in the opening match against Saudi Arabia.[34] South Korea finished third in the tournament after beating Japan in the third place play-off.[35]

Personal life

Choi's mother Kim Jae-young was an artistic gymnast, and Choi's father was also a field hockey player while at school.[2] His father who worked as a bus driver couldn't become an adult player, but taught him to be unassuming.[2] In December 2005, Choi was married Kwak Seon-hye, and became a father a year later.[36]

Choi is a devout Christian.[37]

It was reported on 9 February 2012 that Choi was sentenced on probation for two years and 200 hours of social services for ten months as a result of his actions, relating to match fixing.[38]

Following an end to his professional football career, Choi was hired to work in the hospital as a clerk.[39] He acknowledged that since his football career ended, his family began to struggle economically.[40]

In January 2014, Choi was caught by police for driving under the influence.[41]

In April 2016, Choi was hired as a commentator for sports website Spoplay.[42]

In July 2016, a man was sentenced to six years in prison for threatening both Choi and Kim Dong-hyun.[43]

Seven years later after his professional football career came to an end, he spoke out in an interview about his role to match fixing.[44][45]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i 2003 K League 27 7 0 0 — — 27 7
2004 K League 19 1 4 3 0 0 — 23 4
2005 K League 16 1 1 0 0 0 — 17 1
2006 K League 22 1 1 0 13 8 4 4 40 13
Total 84 10 6 3 13 8 4 4 107 25
Kashiwa Reysol 2005 J1 League 8 0 0 0 4 0 — 12 0
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 2007 K League 27 3 0 0 1 0 8 3 36 6
2008 K League 18 4 2 0 8 3 — 28 7
2010 K League 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 7 1
Total 49 7 2 0 9 3 11 4 71 14
Gwangju Sangmu (draft) 2009 K League 26 9 0 0 2 0 — 28 9
2010 K League 22 4 3 1 2 0 — 27 5
Total 48 13 3 1 4 0 — 55 14
Suwon Samsung Bluewings 2011 K League 12 1 1 1 0 0 6 0 19 2
Career total 201 31 12 5 30 11 21 8 264 55

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[46][47]
National team Year Apps Goals
South Korea 2003 4 1
2004 4 0
2005 3 0
2006 3 0
2007 7 1
2008 3 0
2010 1 0
2011 1 0
Career total 26 2
Results list South Korea's goal tally first.
List of international goals scored by Choi Sung-kuk
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 27 September 2003 Incheon, South Korea  Oman 1–0 1–0 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification
2 11 July 2007 Jakarta, Indonesia  Saudi Arabia 1–0 1–1 2007 AFC Asian Cup

Honours

Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma

South Korea U20

South Korea U23

South Korea

Individual

Notes

  1. ^ Includes one appearance considered non-international.

References

  1. ^ "MBC Broadcast Profile Player for Choi Sung-kuk". MBC. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f [대표팀]최성국, 청소년-올림픽-국가대표 종횡무진. The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). 6 April 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2020 – via Naver.
  3. ^ [축구] 최성국―김정우 계약금 3억원 프로축구 울산 입단. Naver.com (in Korean). Kukmin Ilbo. 27 February 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b 시련 딛고 훌쩍 성장한 '리틀 마라도나' 최성국. Naver.com (in Korean). Cookie News. 28 September 2006. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  5. ^ K리그 유턴 최성국, 2일 울산 합류 (in Korean). Jeju News. 4 July 2005. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  6. ^ <아시아챔피언스리그> 이천수, 코엘류 울렸다 (in Korean). Jeju News. 14 September 2006. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  7. ^ 최성국, 성남 이적...2년 계약에 총 30억원 몸값 (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. 17 January 2007. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  8. ^ 최성국 · 송종국, 잉글랜드行 추진 (in Korean). Maeil Business Newspaper. 18 December 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Choi set for Blades snub". Sky Sports. 24 January 2008. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  10. ^ a b [조모컵 2008] 'MVP' 최성국 "일본은 항상 이기고 싶었다". Nate.com (in Korean). Mydaily. 3 August 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  11. ^ 최성국 상무 입대…최원권·박병규 등 22명 선발 (in Korean). No Cut News. 10 December 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  12. ^ '리틀 마라도나' 최성국, 수원의 품으로...3년 계약 (in Korean). JoyNews24. 10 January 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
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  14. ^ '승부조작 루머' 유병수-최성국, "난 깨끗하다" (in Korean). JoyNews24. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  15. ^ 최성국·유병수 "우리가 승부조작? 억울합니다" (in Korean). No Cut News. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  16. ^ 승부조작 혐의 부인한 최성국, 결국 불구속 기소 (in Korean). JoyNews24. 7 July 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  17. ^ 최성국, "돈 받은 것은 맞지만"…혐의 일부 부인 (in Korean). No Cut News. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  18. ^ 수원, 고종수 1군 트레이너로 승격…염기훈 주장 선임 (in Korean). JoyNews24. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  19. ^ 프로축구 승부조작 관련자 47명 '영구 제명' (in Korean). Jeju News. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  20. ^ "Choi Sung-Kuk arrived at Rabotnicki". Macedonian Football. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  21. ^ "FIFA Suspends Choi Sung-kuk". The Korea Times. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  22. ^ "Fifa bans South Korea's Choi Sung-Kuk in wake of match-fixing scandal". Goal. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  23. ^ -아시아청소년축구- 한국, 카타르에 1-2패. Naver.com (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 16 September 1998. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  24. ^ -아시안게임- 한국남자축구, 삼각편대 출격 완료 (in Korean). Jeju News. 26 September 2002. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  25. ^ 청소년축구 '산뜻한 출발'. Naver.com (in Korean). Munhwa Ilbo. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  26. ^ '일본킬러' 정조국 또 해냈다..아시아청소년대회, 4년만에 'V 축배'. Naver.com (in Korean). Korea Economic Daily. 1 November 2002. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  27. ^ 콜롬비아축구, 한국전 멤버 18명 발표 (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 21 March 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  28. ^ <아시안컵축구> 코엘류호, 모의고사 '절반의 성공'. Naver.com (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 30 September 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  29. ^ 최성국 중상으로 청소년대표팀 비상. Naver.com (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 8 October 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  30. ^ 청소년 축구팀 명단 확정. Naver.com (in Korean). Kyunghyang. 10 November 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  31. ^ "Twelve shining stars in the Emirates". FIFA. 12 December 2003. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  32. ^ 조재진ㆍ최성국 "파라과이 깨라" 특명. The Korea Herald (in Korean). 21 August 2004. Retrieved 10 April 2020 – via Naver.
  33. ^ 이동국, 전반을 요리하라… 29일 이라크전 선발출격. The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). 29 June 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  34. ^ 아시안컵 축구 한국 사우디와 1대1로 무승부 (in Korean). Kyunghyang. 12 July 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  35. ^ [다시 뛰자 한국 축구] (2) '대형 골잡이'가 없다 (in Korean). Seoul Shinmun. 31 July 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  36. ^ 최성국 "스타의식 버리니 골이 찾아왔다". Naver.com (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 13 August 2006. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  37. ^ 축구스타들의 별난 징크스. Naver.com (in Korean). OhmyNews. 6 February 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
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  39. ^ 최성국 병원 취직 "깊이 반성하고 새 출발하겠다". The Korea Herald (in Korean). 26 June 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  40. ^ 미운오리새끼 최성국의 눈물 (in Korean). Kyunghyang. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
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  43. ^ 축구선수 최성국·김동현 협박했던 30대 남성 6년만에 기소 (in Korean). Maeil Business Newspaper. 27 July 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
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  46. ^ Choi Sung-kuk at National-Football-Teams.com
  47. ^ "Choi Sung-kuk at Korea Football Association" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
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  55. ^ 최성국 득점왕…성남 2위 확정 (in Korean). The Hankyoreh. 29 July 2006. Retrieved 3 July 2021.

External links

Sporting positions Preceded byCho Won-hee Suwon Samsung Bluewings captain 2011 Succeeded byYeom Ki-hun
South Korea Squads
Categories