Pak Doo-ik

Korean spelling
Chosŏn'gŭl	박두익
Hancha	朴 斗 翼
Revised Romanization	Bak Du-ik
McCune- Reischauer	Pak Tuik
See also : Korean name

Pak Doo-ik (born March 17, 1942 in Pyongyang ; December 17, 1943 is also mentioned as another date of birth ) is a former North Korean football player . He achieved international fame when he scored 1-0 for North Korea against Italy at the 1966 World Cup , creating one of the greatest sensations in World Cup history.

Life

Little is known about his life outside the field. He was born in Pyongyang in 1942. After graduating from school, he learned the profession of dentist . He also played soccer (at SC Pyongyang) and was discovered by national coach Myung Rye-hyun .

The players who were in the squad for the World Cup (WM) in 1966 had to join the army. So Pak Doo-ik became a military doctor. Before the World Cup, the team trained secluded in an army camp for a year. It was a miracle that North Korea even took part in the World Cup and was only possible after tough negotiations. The English refused to play the North Korean anthem because they had no diplomatic relations with the country. It was agreed to only play one march before each game. The blatant outsider lost the first game in the preliminary round 0: 3 against the USSR and played a draw against Chile (1: 1). Before the last group game against the professionals from Italy, North Korea's premature return home seemed inevitable. Pak Doo-ik, who played for his team in every game at this World Cup, scored the only goal of this encounter - the high favorite Italy had to leave. He later reported that he had accidentally kicked the ground and that his deceived opponent had slipped. Pak shot from the edge of the box. The game in the quarterfinals then lost North Korea after 3-0 lead, however, 3: 5 against Portugal.

On their return home, the heroes of the team were honored and showered with medals. Some left the army, others stayed in it. There are various rumors about what happened after that. For years it was rumored in South Korea that Pak Doo-ik and the other players had been sent to a labor camp for excessive alcohol consumption and women's stories. These rumors are denied by the players.

He was one of the main characters in the television documentary The Game of Their Lives . He visited England again in 2002 with seven other teammates from 1966.

He played a total of 82 international matches.

During the Pyongyang station of the 2008 Olympic torch relay , he was the first to carry the Olympic torch through the streets.

Pak Doo-ik still lives in Pyongyang, is still a doctor, is married and has a son.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Robert Philip: Pak Doo Ik takes the spotlight once more . The Daily Telegraph, October 16, 2002.
2. ^ Jim White: North Korea in town to relive game of their lives . The Guardian of October 18, 2002.
3. ↑ Pyongyang Torch Relay Passes Without Hitch . Chosun Ilbo of April 29, 2008 (English).

Note: This article places the family name before the person's first name. This is the usual order in Korean. Pak is the family name here, Doo-ik is the first name.