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Choi Sung-kuk

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Choi Sung-kuk
Born (1983-02-08) February 8, 1983 (age 43)
Seoul, South Korea
OccupationFootballer (retired)
Years active2003–2011
Known forSouth Korean footballer banned for life due to match-fixing scandal

South Korean Footballer (Born 1983)

Choi Sung-kuk (born 8 February 1983) is a retired football player from South Korea who operated primarily as a second striker. His career came to an abrupt end after FIFA imposed a ban on him, prohibiting participation in any football-related events due to his connection with match-fixing activities.

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Early life

Choi was born in Seoul and started his football journey at Donggok Elementary School.[1] During his time at Jeongmyeong High School,[1] his exceptional skills earned him the moniker "Korean Maradona".[1] After completing high school, he pursued higher education at Korea University for a period of two years.

Club career

On 27 February 2003, Choi signed with the K League team Ulsan Hyundai Horang-I.[2] He quickly adjusted to the professional level, netting seven goals in his inaugural season.[3] Although he was shortlisted for the K League Rookie of the Year accolade, the award ultimately went to Jung Jo-gook.[3]

In his sophomore season, Choi's focus shifted due to commitments with the Olympic team, resulting in a single goal across 19 league matches. Before the 2005 campaign, he was loaned to J1 League side Kashiwa Reysol, but struggled to regain form during his five-month stint.[4]

Demonstrating marked progress the following year, Choi emerged as the leading scorer in the 2006 Korean League Cup. He also delivered a standout performance in the 2006 AFC Champions League clash against Al-Shabab, where he played a pivotal role in Ulsan’s commanding 6–0 triumph by dismantling their defense and scoring twice.[5] Following that season, he transferred to Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.[6]

After the conclusion of the 2007 season, Choi underwent a trial with English Championship club Sheffield United,[7] but was ultimately not offered a contract.[8] Remaining in South Korea, he participated in the 2008 Jomo Cup featuring all-star squads from both K League and J.League. Choi contributed a goal and an assist, guiding K League to a 3–1 victory and earning MVP honors for his performance.[9] In December of that year, Choi began his mandatory military service by joining the military football squad Gwangju Sangmu.[10]

Ahead of the 2011 season, Choi signed a three-year deal with Suwon Samsung Bluewings.[11] Soon after joining, he was appointed as Suwon's captain.[12] However, during his time with Gwangju Sangmu, Choi became embroiled in a match-fixing controversy.[13] Initially denying any involvement when allegations surfaced,[14] he later confessed as investigations intensified.[15][16] As a result, he was temporarily removed from his squad and relieved of captaincy duties.[17]

In August 2011, it was confirmed that Choi would face a permanent ban from participating in any South Korean football leagues.[18] On 16 January 2012, reports indicated that he intended to join Macedonian side Rabotnički,[19] but after further review, FIFA imposed a lifetime suspension on him from all sports activities.[20] Consequently, his transfer collapsed when the Football Federation of Macedonia declined to register him.[21]

International career

During his time at Jeongmyeong High School, Choi received a call-up to the South Korean under-17 squad for the 1998 AFC U-16 Championship, where he netted two goals across six matches.

Choi was later chosen to represent the South Korean under-23 side at the 2002 Asian Games, contributing to the team’s third-place finish. Subsequently, he secured a title with the South Korean under-20 team by winning the 2002 AFC Youth Championship.

In March 2003, Choi earned his first selection to the senior national team, making his debut in a goalless draw versus Colombia. He recorded his inaugural senior international goal during a 1–0 triumph over Oman in the context of the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification. Despite sustaining an injury, Choi participated in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship with the under-20 squad. Although limited to only two appearances in that tournament, he was distinguished as one of twelve standout players by FIFA.

Choi also featured in the 2004 Summer Olympics, where South Korea advanced to the quarter-final stage.

He was included in South Korea’s roster for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. During the opening fixture against Saudi Arabia, Choi scored a goal. The team ultimately secured third place in the competition after defeating Japan in the playoff for third place.

Personal life

Choi's mother, Kim Jae-young, was involved in artistic gymnastics, while his father played field hockey during his school years. Although his father worked as a bus driver and never advanced to play at an adult level, he instilled in Choi the value of humility. In December 2005, Choi married Kwak Seon-hye, and they welcomed their first child the following year.

A committed Christian, Choi has maintained his faith throughout his life.

On 9 February 2012, it was announced that Choi received a two-year probation sentence along with 200 hours of community service over a ten-month period due to his involvement in match-fixing activities.

After retiring from professional football, Choi secured employment as a hospital clerk. He openly admitted that following the conclusion of his sports career, his family encountered financial difficulties.

In January 2014, authorities apprehended Choi for driving under the influence.

By April 2016, Choi had transitioned into a role as a commentator for the sports website Spoplay.

In July 2016, a man was sentenced to six years in prison after threatening both Choi and fellow footballer Kim Dong-hyun.

Nearly a decade after ending his professional football career, Choi publicly addressed his involvement in match-fixing during an interview, asserting that he did not personally profit from the scheme. Additionally, he has advocated for enhanced player education to prevent future incidents.

Club

Appearances and goals broken down by club, season, and competition
Club Season League Domestic Cup League Cup International Overall
Division Appearances Goals Appearances Goals Appearances Goals Appearances Goals Appearances 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

National team appearances and goals by year
National team Year Appearances 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
Total career caps and goals 26 2
Scores list South Korea's goals first.
International goals scored by Choi Sung-kuk
No. Date Location Opponent Score at time of goal Final score Tournament
1 |27 September 2003 | Incheon, South Korea | Template:Fb | align="center" |1–0 | align="center" |1–0 | 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification
2 |11 July 2007 | Jakarta, Indonesia | Template:Fb | align="center" |1–0 | align="center" |1–1 | 2007 AFC Asian Cup

Honours

Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma

South Korea U20

South Korea U23

South Korea

Individual Achievements

Notes

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Choi Debut
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  6. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  8. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  9. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  10. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  12. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  13. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  14. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  15. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  16. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  17. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  18. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  19. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  20. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  21. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

External links

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