Jung Sung-ryong

In the 2019 season, Jung Sung-ryong started the season well when he kept a clean sheet and helped Kawasaki Frontale win the Japanese Super Cup, in a 1-0 win over Urawa Red Diamonds. This was followed up by keeping another clean sheet, in a 0-0 draw against FC Tokyo in the opening game of the season. Jung Sung-ryong continued to remain the first choice goalkeeper for the side since the start of the season. He then kept another two clean sheets between 14 April 2019 and 19 April 2019. While he kept two clean sheets, Jung Sung-ryong helped the side win five in a row between 14 April 2019 and 12 May 2019. He then kept another two clean sheets between 7 July 2019 and 14 July 2019. However, Jung Sung-ryong lost his first team place to Shota Arai for the next two months. Jung Sung-ryong was the second choice goalkeeper in the final of the J.League Cup, as Kawasaki Frontale won 5-4 on penalty shootout after the game went extra time with a 3-3 draw. It wasn't until on 30 November 2019 when Jung Sung-ryong returned to the starting lineup, playing the whole game, in a 4-1 loss against Yokohama F. Marinos. At the end of the 2018 season, he went on to make thirty-five appearances in all competitions.

He ultimately played a vital role in the Korean national team’s historic third-place finish. He conceded just one goal in three matches in the group stage and saved a penalty kick in the quarterfinal against Great Britain. He became injured during the second half and had to come off the pitch. Jung did not play in South Korea's semi-final match against Brazil due to his injury and South Korea lost 3–0. He returned for the third-place match against Japan and kept a clean sheet as South Korea won 2–0, earning the side a bronze medal. During the tournament, Jung conceded 2 goals in five matches in total.

Ahead of the 2018 season, it was announced that Jung Sung-ryong would be serving as the club's vice captain once again. His first appearance came on 10 February 2018 against Cerezo Osaka in the Japanese Super Cup, where his team lost 3–2. But he was able to help the club make a comeback, winning and keeping a clean sheet in the first four league matches. However, during a 2–0 loss against Urawa Red Diamonds on 2 May 2018, he was sent off in the 70th minute for a professional foul on Andrew Nabbout and was suspended as a result. He returned from suspension on 12 May 2018, where he played the whole game in a 2–1 win over Kashima Antlers. Over the next several months, Jung Sung-ryong played a vital role in Kawasaki Frontale's victories in a number of matches. For the second time this season, on 24 October 2018, he was sent–off in the 64th minute, as Kawasaki Frontale lost 3–2 to Montedio Yamagata in the quarter–final of the Emperor's Cup. Despite this, Jung Sung-ryong helped the side win the league for the second time in a row. At the end of the 2018 season, he had made thirty–eight appearances in all competitions. Throughout the 2018 season, he was one of the standout goalkeepers in the J.League. In addition, Jung Sung-ryong was named 2018's J.League Best XI.

Ahead of the 2017 season, it was announced that Jung Sung-ryong would be serving as the club's vice captain. He also signed a contract extension with the club for another season. His first appearance of the season came on 22 February 2017 against his former club, Suwon Samsung Bluewings, in the AFC Champions League, and the result was a 1-1 draw. Three days later, on 25 February 2017, he kept his first clean sheet of the season, in a 2–0 win over Omiya Ardija in the opening game of the season. Jung Sung-ryong continued to remain as the first choice goalkeeper for the side. He then captained the side for the first time on 8 April 2017 against Ventforet Kofu and played 72 minutes before being substituted, in a 1–1 draw. Jung Sung-ryong then kept three clean sheets in a row between 5 May 2017 and 19 May 2017. By the time he started, he also kept three sheets in a row for the club's AFC Champions League campaign between 12 April 2017 and 9 May 2017. His fourth of keeping three sheets in a row came between on 9 September 2017 and 23 September 2017. During a match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on 21 October 2017, he set up a goal before suffering a thigh injury in the first half, before his team won 3-0. After missing two matches, he returned to the starting lineup on 4 November 2017 against Cerezo Osaka in the J. League Cup Final, where they lost 2–0. Following his return, he, again, kept three sheets in a row, which came between on 18 November 2017 and 2 December 2017. Kawasaki Frontale won the league for the first time this season. At the end of the 2017 season, Jung Sung-ryong went on to make forty–six appearances in all competitions. For his performance, he was awarded another contract extension with the club.

Jung Sung-ryong made his Kawasaki Frontale debut, where he played the whole game and kept a clean sheet, in a 1–0 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima. In a follow up match against Shonan Bellmare on 5 March 2016, he conceded an own goal from himself when "he grabbed a cross from the right and hit Thiago Quirino, missing his ball and recording his own goal", as Shonan Bellmare and Kawasaki Frontale drew 4–4. Since joining the club, he quickly became the first choice goalkeeper for the side. Jung Sung-ryong then kept three clean sheets in a row between 21 May 2016 and 11 June 2016. He, again, kept another three clean sheets in a row between 25 June 2016 and 9 July 2016. However, he suffered a knee injury in mid–September and was sidelined for a month. It wasn't until 12 November 2016 when he returned from injury against Urawa Red Diamonds in the fourth round of the Emperor's Cup and played the whole game until penalty–shootout, where he helped the side win 3–1 on penalties after the game was played for 120 minutes, in a 3–3 draw. Although he helped the side finish in second place behind Kashima Antlers, Jung Sung-ryong played in the final of Emperor's Cup against Kashima Antlers but his team lost 2–1. In his first season at Kawasaki Frontale, Jung Sung-ryong went on to make thirty–six appearances in all competitions.

In the 2015 season, however, Jung Sung-ryong missed the start of the season, due to a knee injury and was sidelined between three and four weeks. It wasn't until 26 April 2015 when he made his first appearance of the season, in a 2–1 loss against Daejeon Citizen. Since returning to the first team, he regained his first choice goalkeeper status and featured in a number of matches despite facing competition from No Dong-geon. This lasted until 6 August 2015, when it was announced that Jung Sung-ryong would undergo four weeks of basic military training. After returning from military training on 3 September 2015, he didn't make his return to the first team until 12 September 2015, where he played the whole game and kept a clean sheet, in a 1–0 win over Incheon United. His performance throughout September saw him being named Player of the Month for September. Jung Sung-ryong spent the rest of the 2015 season as the first choice goalkeeper and went on to make twenty–three appearances in all competitions.

It was announced on 24 December 2015 that Jung Sung-ryong would join J. League side Kawasaki Frontale, effectively joining the club from 2 February 2016. Although he signed a one–year contract, his contract remained undisclosed.

After the World Cup, Jung Sung Ryong wasn't selected for any international friendly games until 14 November, when he was selected to play against Jordan, and kept a clean sheet. Despite being included in the promotional material for the AFC Asian Cup in Australia, he was overlooked, as Kim Jin-hyeon was the first choice goalkeeper throughout the tournament, as they finished as runner–up. After the tournament, he made one appearance later in the year, which came on 13 October 2015, in a 3–0 win over Jamaica.

In the 2014 season, Jung Sung-ryong started well in the opening game of the season, where he kept a clean sheet, in a 1–0 win over Jeju United. Throughout April, his performance continued to regain his form, leading him to be named April's Player of the Month. His performance in a number of matches led him to become the first choice goalkeeper for the national team in the World Cup. After the World Cup that saw South Korea eliminated in the Group Stage, Jung Sung-ryong missed two matches, due to fatigue following the World Cup. It wasn't until 12 July 2014 when he returned to the starting lineup, in a 2–0 loss against FC Seoul. Despite conceding two goals, his performance earned praised from Manager Seo Jung-won. Throughout the summer transfer window, he was linked to a move away from the club, but the club denied the rumours of leaving in response. From that point on, Jung Sung-ryong remained the first choice goalkeeper. At the end of the 2014 season, he went on to make thirty–five appearances, as they finished second place in the league. He finished second place behind Kim Eun-sun as the club's player of the season.

Following his poor performance in the K League, his first choice goalkeeper became further under threat from Kim Seung-gyu. Nevertheless, he appeared four times at the beginning of 2014, but was on the losing side in three out of the four matches. Jung Sung-Ryong was selected as the first-choice goalkeeper for South Korea in the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. In the Matchday 1 against Russia, Jung Sung-Ryong didn't conceded a goal from Aleksandr Kerzhakov in the 74th minutes, as they drew 1–1. However following a performance against Algeria where he conceded four goals; afterwards, he was criticised by the media. As a result, he was replaced by Kim Seung-gyu for the final game against Belgium and South Korea went on to be eliminated in Group Stage after losing 1–0 to Belgium. After the World Cup, he spoke out on his opinion, regarding his performance. Despite his opinion, he was named the worst player of the tournament by pundits and analysts.

In the 2013 season, Jung Sung-ryong started the season when he helped his side win the first two league matches of the season, including saving a penalty at one point. However, on 30 March 2013, he suffered an injury during a 3–1 win against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and missed the next two matches. Despite this, he was voted March's Player of the Month by the club's supporters. Jung Sung-ryong returned to the starting lineup on 14 April 2013, playing the whole game, in a 1–1 draw against FC Seoul. Since returning to the first team, he regained his place as the club's first choice goalkeeper. However, despite keeping two more clean sheets in the AFC Champions League, the club was eliminated in the Group Stage, finishing in fourth place. In a match against Pohang Steelers on 10 November 2013, Jung Sung-ryong was at fault when he mishandled his save from Lee Myung-joo shot, leading to a goal, as Suwon Samsung Bluewings lost 2–1. At the end of the 2013 season, he had made forty–one appearances in all competitions.

In the 2012 season, Jung Sung-ryong started the season well when he kept three clean sheets in the first three league matches of the season. He made another three clean sheets between 11 April 2012 and 21 April 2012. Jung Sung-ryong played in every match from the start of the season until he was called to the Olympics for the Korean national team squad. After the Olympics, his return to the first team was delayed, due to a shoulder injury he sustained during the Olympics, as well as his failed transfer to an unknown club from United Arab Emirates. He didn't make his return to the first team until 15 September 2012, where he played for the whole game in a 2–1 defeat against Pohang Steelers. For the remainder of the 2012 season, Jung Sung-ryong regained his first choice goalkeeper role. At the end of the 2012 season, he went on to make thirty–five appearances in all competitions. He was nominated for the K League MVP Award but lost to Dejan Damjanović.

In the 2012 London Olympics, Jung was considered to be called up (which he eventually did) and expected to the national team's first choice goalkeeper.

On 28 January 2011, it was announced that Jung had joined Suwon Samsung Bluewings on a five-year deal for undisclosed fee. He was linked a move to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors before choosing Suwon Samsung Bluewings instead.

His first game was on 2 March 2011 when Jung played against Australian side Sydney in the AFC Champions League, in a 0–0 draw and keeping a clean sheet in the process. Four days later, on 6 March 2011, he made his league debut for Suwon Samsung Bluewings, where he started the whole game and kept a clean sheet, in a 2–0 win over FC Seoul. Since making his debut for Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Jung Sung-ryong established himself as the first choice goalkeeper for the side. He started in the first five league matches of the season until he suffered an injury that saw him miss two matches. After returning from injury, he helped the side reach the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League. In his first match against his former club, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, on 15 May 2011, Jung sung-ryong gave away a penalty, leading his former teammate Saša Ognenovski to successfully convert the penalty to make it 1–0 before Suwon Samsung Bluewings equalised, resulting in a 1–1 draw. He then kept three clean sheets between 6 August 2011 and 20 August 2011. Having the side reached the Korean FA Cup final, they lost 1–0 against his former club, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma. He also helped the side reach the semi–finals, where they lost to Al Sadd 2–1 on aggregate. In his first season at Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Jung Sung-ryong went on to make forty–six appearances in all competitions.

Despite the criticism, Jung was able to improve his goalkeeping skills and remained the top choice goalkeeper for the national team. In the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, Jung was selected for the final team for the 2011 Asian Cup and played in all six of South Korea's games. In the semi-final against Japan, he saved a penalty against Keisuke Honda but lost in the penalty shootout after the game ended in a 2-2 draw. South Korea earned third place after defeating Uzbekistan. Jung conceded five goals in open play as well as two penalties in six matches and was named to the team of the tournament.

Ahead of the 2010 season, Kim Yong-dae moved to FC Seoul and so Jung was able to keep his starting role. Jung Sung-ryong started the season well when he earned four clean sheets in the first two matches of the season against Kawasaki Frontale, Gangwon, Melbourne Victory and Incheon United. Throughout the 2010 season, Jung Sung-ryong made three clean sheets in a row on three occasions, starting from: between 21 April 2010 and 2 May 2010, the second one was between 18 July 2010 and 24 July 2010, and the third one was between 22 August 2010 and 1 September 2010. Jung Sung-ryong helped the reach the AFC Champions League and started the whole game, as they beat Zob Ahan Esfahan in the final. He also helped the side reach the semi–final of the FIFA Club World Cup, finishing fourth place. Despite a possible rumors of him moving overseas during the season, he stayed at the club and went on to make forty–eight appearances in all competitions.

In the national team, Jung used to be the understudy to South Korean Lee Woon-jae, but Lee's retirement made Jung South Korea's first-choice goalkeeper. After a year and a half away from playing in the national team, Jung made his return to the starting line-up on 22 January 2010, where he kept a clean sheet, in a 1–0 win over Latvia. He later kept two more clean sheets, which were against Ecuador and Japan.

It was announced on 1 June 2010 that Jung Sung-ryong was included for the 23-men squad in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. After speculation on who would take the first choice goalkeeper between Jung Sung-ryong or Lee Woon-jae, it was announced that Jung Sung-ryong was preferred instead. In Matchday 1, he made his World Cup debut, where he started the whole game and kept a clean sheet, in a 2–0 win over Greece. Following this, he started again in Matchday 2 against Argentina and conceded four goals, as they lost 4–1. After helping the side go through to the Round of 16, South Korea were eliminated by Uruguay in a 2–1. After the tournament, Jung Sung-ryong played four times and conceded eight goals in total, he was criticized for not communicating with his defenders well and for his inability to save a penalty against Nigeria. Nevertheless, he, along with Lee Chung-yong and Park Ji-sung, were voted World Cup MVP by netizens in online voting for their performance.

His performance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup led the club to sell memorial products and annual memberships in Jung Sung-ryong's name. He also appeared in Variety's show Running Man.

In the 2009 season, Jung Sung-ryong continued to establish himself as the first choice goalkeeper for the side. His first clean sheet came on 14 March 2009, in a 6–0 win over Ulsan Hyundai. Four days later, on 7 October 2009, Jung Sung-ryong helped the side beat Daejeon Citizen 1–0 to reach the Korean FA Cup Final. He also helped the side reach the K League Championship Play–Off after beating Daegu FC 3–0 on the last game of the season. Seven days later in the Korea Cup FA Cup Final, however, Jung Sung-ryong started the whole game, as Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma lost on penalty–shootout against Suwon Samsung Bluewings after the game went extra time following a 1–1 draw. In the K League Championship Play–Off, He helped the side reach the final after beating Incheon United on penalty shootout and earning a clean sheet in the next two matches against Chunnam Dragons and Pohang Steelers. However, they lost 3–1 to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the K League Championship Final and contributed to the team's 2009 K League runners-up campaign.

In February 2008, with Kim Yong-dae joining the Korean military team Jung was transferred to Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma as a replacement. It came after when his contract with Pohang Steelers was coming to an end at the end of the 2007 and have been negotiation with Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma at some time.

Jung Sung-ryong made his Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma debut, where he started the whole game, in a 1–1 draw against Gwangju Sangmu. Since joining the club, he established as a first choice goalkeeper for the side. He then kept a clean sheet five times between 29 March 2008 and 26 April 2008. Between 12 July 2008 and 30 August 2008, Jung Sung-ryong kept another four clean sheets in a row. At the end of the 2008 season, he finished his first season at Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, making thirty–six appearances in all competitions.

On 27 July 2008, he scored a goal from 85 m (93 yd) in the U-23 friendly match against Ivory Coast, setting a Guinness record, which was not broken until Everton keeper Tim Howard scored from 93 m (102 yd) in 2012. A month later, Jung Sung-ryong started all three matches as the first choice goalkeeper in the Olympics, as the team was eliminated in the first round.

Jung made his national team debut on 30 January 2008 in a friendly match against Chile, conceding one goal in a 0–1 defeat. He then kept his first clean sheet against Turkmenistan a week later. He also kept two clean sheets against North Korea on two separate occasions later in 2008, having played against each other on three occasions. Throughout 2008, Jung Sung-ryong found himself in a competition with Kim Young-kwang and Kim Yong-dae.

In December 2008, Jung Sung-ryong married Miss Korea 2006 Gyeongnam's winner Lim Ji-jeong. Together, they have three children: two sons and one daughter. Their fourth child was born in March 2019. He has a tattoo on his left wrist that said: "1 means my pride as a goalkeeper and my sense of responsibility as a keeper. It is meant to be." Upon moving to Japan, Jung Sung-ryong began settling in the country with his family and learning the Japanese language.

In the 2007 season, Jung Sung-ryong continued to compete with Shin Hwa-yong and new signing, Kwon Jung-hyuk over the first choice goalkeeper role. He started the season well when he received his first clean sheet in the opening game of the season against Incheon United, as they beat them 1–0. He missed several matches, due to international commitment and his own injury concern. This also combined him appearing on the substitute bench in a favour of Shin Hwa-yong. Despite suffering from a colon injury during the international break later to the season, Jung Sung-ryong was in goal when he helped the side beat Jeju United 2–1 to reach the final of the Korean FA Cup. In the first round of K League Championship against Gyeongnam on 20 October 2007, he played until 118th minutes when he was substituted for Shin Hwa-yong; which was proved to be decisive, as Pohang Steelers won on penalties after the game was played through 120 minutes. Jung Sung-ryong was the first choice goalkeeper for the next two matches, beating Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i and Suwon Samsung Bluewings to reach the K League Championship Final. Jung Sung-ryong played in both legs against Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, as they beat them 4–1 on aggregate to help the club to win 2007 K League championship. However, he played in both legs in Korean FA Cup Final, as they lost 6–3 on aggragate to Chunnam Dragons as a Korean FA Cup Runners up. Despite this, Jung Sung-ryong went on to make nineteen appearances for the side.

In February 2007, Jung Sung-ryong was called up to the South Korea U-23. He was previously called up for the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. Jung Sung-ryong made his South Korea U-23 debut, where he kept a clean sheet, in a 1–0 win over Yemen U-23 on 28 February 2007. Later in the year, he kept nine clean sheets in a total, including against Uzbekistan U23 (earning three of the four matches that year), Bahrain U23, and Syria U23.

Ahead of 2006 season, it was expected from Sports Naver that Jung Sung-ryong is going to play in the professional stage. Following the departure of Kim Byung-ji, Jung Sung-ryong found himself, competing with Shin Hwa-yong over the first choice goalkeeper role. He made his Pohang Steelers debut, where he started the whole game, in a 1–0 loss against Gyeongnam on 22 April 2006. In his follow up match against Daegu on 29 April 2006, he kept his first clean sheet, in a 0–0 draw. Since making his debut for the club, he finally started to become the first choice goalkeeper. His number of first team appearances and performance earned him praises. He signed a three–year contract with the club. He made a very important clean sheets in a number of matches. At the end of the 2006 season, Jung Sung-ryong went on to make twenty–seven appearances (15 in the league), as Pohang Steelers finished second place behind eventual Champions, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and was eliminated in the K League Championship by Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

In July 2006, Jung Sung-ryong was called up by the senior team for the first time. Over the next eighteen months, he was called up by the senior team as an unused substitute bench, including one for AFC Asian Cup. In February 2007, in an interview, he said his aim to become the first choice national goalkeeper.

Throughout 2005, Jung Sung-ryong was featured five times for the South Korea U-20 side.

In January 2003, Jung Sung-ryong signed his first professional contract with Pohang Steelers after graduating. Since joining the club at first, he failed to make any appearances for the club in the first three years, due to becoming an understudy to first choice goalkeeper, Kim Byung-ji. Because of this, Jung Sung-ryong had thoughts of joining the army but was talked out of it by then the club's reserve coach, Park Tae-ha, who told he would get his chance.

Jung Sung-ryong attended Gwangju Elementary School and went on to graduate at Seogwipo Middle School and Seogwipo High School. At one point at his time at Tamna University, Jung Sung-ryong was named the best player in the national championships in 2002 after helping Tamna University win the title.

Jung Sung-ryong (Korean: 정성룡 ; Korean pronunciation: [tɕʌŋ.sʌŋ.njoŋ] ; born 4 January 1985) is a South Korean football goalkeeper, who currently plays for Kawasaki Frontale.