Korean Song Jin-hyung adds soul to his A-game

THE NEWCASTLE HERALD

By Josh Leeson

WRITEOFF: Song Jin-hyung has been busy during the off-season learning English and learning how to mix it in the rough and tumble of the A-League. The results are plain to see in the opening forays of the new season, reports Josh Leeson.
THREE games at the business end of Newcastle's premiership charge last season gave the A-League a taste of Korean import Song Jin-hyung's tantalising talents.

Two games into the new season, and everyone is singing his praises.

The 21-year-old has been in superb touch for the Jets and arguably their best player in the two fighting draws they have opened their title defence with.

His busy, live-wire style and precise delivery at set-pieces have been the catalyst for many of the Jets' attacking raids.

The eye-catching displays have had commentators such as Foxtel's Andy Harper questioning why more clubs aren't looking to Asia, rather than South America, for their imports.

Song joined the Jets from FC Seoul only a month before the semi-finals and played in three games, including the 1-0 grand final win over Central Coast.

It was a huge acid test for the South Korean, both on and off field.

He spoke no English and was not used to the greater physicality of the Australian game.

A full off-season with the Jets and English lessons have helped Song deal with both.

"It was very hard last season in the grand final because it was very physical," Song said.

"But now, I've trained in Australia for the whole off-season, it's not a problem now."

Overcoming the language barrier has been assisted through less conventional means.

"I like watching movies and Big Brother. TV has helped me learn English," he said.

The only disappointment for Song is that he was not credited with his side's 49th-minute goal in the 3-3 draw with Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium last Friday, when his strike deflected off Glory defender Jamie Coyne on the way through.

"I was happy with my first game [against the Central Coast Mariners] because I played very well, and in the second game I was happy again, but when I scored they said, no, it was not a goal," he said.

Song is also far more settled at home in Charlestown with his mother who, from all reports, is a top-notch cook.

His father still lives in Seoul, where he works as an electrician.

Jets coach Gary van Egmond says Song is still a work in progress and fans can expect him to continue to grow as a footballer as the season continues.

"Song has got some really fast feet, a tremendous work ethic and is very sharp off the mark so he has some really good attributes," van Egmond said.

"He's a lot better physically, in relation to the game, and technically he has got himself better as well.

"The last piece of the jigsaw is decision-making, and that just comes with experience and repetition of certain things.

"I'm pretty sure he'll get there. I don't think we've seen the best of him yet."

Van Egmond admitted Song needed to adapt to the physical style of play in the A-League when he first arrived from Asia, but said he has learnt fast.

"He's definitely come to grips with it," he said.

"It's all different experiences for him and he's very ambitious.

"He's one of the these people who want to become better at everything they can, and speaking English is another thing.

"He's really worked hard on that and now he has well and truly fitted in with the group in regards to conversations, which is good for him too."

Song is signed to the Jets until the end of the 2009-10 season and will be a major cog in the club's Asian Champions League campaign.

Song has openly admitted he wants to ply his trade in Europe once his contract expires.

But van Egmond said he had no concerns about Song taking his eye off the task at hand.

"Here is only a pit-stop for him and he's looking forward to bettering himself again. But right at this moment, he's really committed to doing well with Newcastle," van Egmond said.

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