Hong Myung-bo is a South Korean former footballer who played as a sweeper, and the current head coach of Ulsan Hyundai.
26 Facts About Hong Myung-bo
2.
Hong Myung-bo was a member of the South Korean national team in four FIFA World Cups, and was the first Asian player to play in four consecutive World Cup final tournaments.
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Hong Myung-bo is the first Asian player ever to receive the Bronze Ball at the World Cup.
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Hong Myung-bo gained attention after showing his outstanding ability in World Cup and Asian competitions.
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Hong Myung-bo received some votes in elections for the FIFA World Player of the Year, finishing 21st in 1996 and 17th in 2002.
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Hong Myung-bo was named in South Korea's squad for the 1990 FIFA World Cup just four months after his international debut.
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The youngest South Korean player to participate in the tournament, Hong Myung-bo played all of the three matches in the group stage and received the most praise in South Korea despite losing all group matches.
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Hong Myung-bo was selected as a member of South Korean Universiade team in 1991.
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Hong Myung-bo stabilized South Korea's defense, helping them advance to the final.
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Hong Myung-bo scored South Korea's first penalty in the shoot-out after South Korea drew the final with the Netherlands without a goal during 120 minutes.
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Hong Myung-bo's talent began to receive attention in earnest since the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
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Hong Myung-bo participated in the 1994 Asian Games after the World Cup, but he injured his knee during the quarter-final match against Japan.
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Hong Myung-bo failed to prevent South Korea's elimination in the group stage.
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Hong Myung-bo was going to be selected as an over-aged player of South Korean under-23 team for the 2000 Summer Olympics, but he was injured just before the tournament.
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Hong Myung-bo captained South Korea to a historic fourth-place finish in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
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Hong Myung-bo became the first-ever Asian player to be named one of the top three players in a World Cup.
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In that year, Hong Myung-bo ended his international career after a friendly match against World Cup champions Brazil as the all-time leader in appearances for South Korean national team.
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Hong Myung-bo didn't have rapid pace, untiring stamina or outstanding ability in man-to-man defense, but he possessed a wide field of vision as well as great leadership skills with which he marshalled his defensive partners.
19.
Hong Myung-bo was nicknamed the "Eternal Libero" by the South Korean media, and became a preeminent icon of South Korean football during his era.
20.
On 26 September 2005, after his retirement as a player, Hong Myung-bo returned to the national team as assistant coach.
21.
Hong Myung-bo served an assistant coach for South Korea under-23 team under Park Sung-hwa.
22.
Hong Myung-bo led his team into third place in the 2010 Asian Games.
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Hong Myung-bo was named as assistant manager to Guus Hiddink at Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2012.
24.
On 24 December 2020, Hong Myung-bo was appointed as the head coach of Ulsan Hyundai.
25.
Hong Myung-bo married Cho Soo-mi, who was five years younger than him, in 1997.
26.
Hong Myung-bo has two sons, Hong Seong-min and Hong Jeong-min.