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North Korea's Jong shines for Bochum
Jong Tae Se appears to be an instant hit as the first North Korean in professional German football.
Jong, 26, struck twice as VfL Bochum opened their second-division campaign on Monday night with a 3-2 victory over 1860 Munich. Until then, he was known in Germany for crying during his country's anthem ahead of the World Cup match against Brazil two months ago.
"Tears star Jong makes Bochum laugh again," said the Bild daily on its website on Tuesday, linking both events.
Bild spoke of "the first big Jong show" and Kicker sports magazine said Jong had "a classy performance" as he headed home in in the 38th and 46th and was also involved in Giovani Federico's 13th-minute opener.
"I am very happy because we won, and of course about my two goals as well," said Jong.
The 1860 coach Reiner Maurer admitted that "we never really managed to contain Jong" while his Bochum counterpart Friedhelm Funkel still sees room for Jong to improve, especially in the fitness area.
"He needs a little more time. You could see that he was exhausted after 65 to 70 minutes," Funkel said.
Japan-born Jong, who is also known as "the people's Rooney," joined Bochum on July 9 from Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale where he scored 46 goals in 111 games since 2006. He has 27 North Korea caps, finding the net 17 times.
Jong is the first North Korean in German football and one of three North Korean World Cup players at foreign clubs. Midfielder An Yong Hak is in Japan at Omiya Ardija. Forward Hong Yong Jo plays for Rostov in Russia.
North Korea were eliminated in the group stage after defeats against Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast. The football federation of the secretive communist country is allegedly ready to allow at least some of the players getting more experience abroad.
"I am a special case. I grew up in a different way, in Japan, and played in the J-League. I have freedom the others don't have," Jong recently told the Bild am Sonntag Sunday paper.
Jong, who has an aunt in North Korea, said in that interview he has had no contact with the other North Korea national team players since the World Cup. Looking at his tears ahead of the Brazil match, he said was simply "overcome by emotion."
He now hopes to make a name for himself in Europe in general and Bochum, who were relegated in May, in particular.
"I want to score many goals for Bochum and would like to become (second division) top scorer. But promotion is more important and I believe in it," he told Bild am Sonntag.
For now he is the man who helped the club get a first home win in six months and a first overall in 13 matches.
