South Korean football stars Park Ji Sung and Lee Young Pyo on Friday retired from international football.
Their national team coach Cho Kwang Rae said that both players would no longer play for their national team at the end of South Korea's 2011 Asian Cup campaign.
South Korea finished third at the showpiece event of Asian football with a 3-2 victory against Uzbekistan and, as a result, qualify directly for the 2015 edition in Australia.
Japan and Australia clash in the championship match on Saturday.
Manchester United midfielder Park, 29, who did not play against Uzbekistan on doctors' suggestions to prevent him from picking up an injury, played 100 games for his national side and was a part of three World Cup squads.
Lee, who is just eight games shy of the Korean record of 135 caps held by Hong Myung-bo, said that he respected Hong's record.
"Things should happen naturally, not forced," the 33-year-old said.
He said that he wanted Park to continue playing for South Korea. "There must be something personal in his decision and we should respect that.
"He sacrificed himself for the team. The younger generation will remember his sacrificing moments for team and passion for football."
He said he would continue playing for his Saudi Arabian club Al- Hilal.
At the end of the game, his teammates hoisted Lee, who declined the captain's armband for the game against Uzbekistan in Park's absence, on their shoulders and carried him to the South Korean fans amongst the 8,000 spectators, where he received a standing ovation.
Cho said the two players did a remarkable job for South Korean football. "I am grateful to them and I love both of them.
"It would be better if I could keep them and convince them to continue playing for the team, but the players have done well for South Korea and we have to accept their decision.
"I am sure that football fans would want to thank them for their contribution to South Korean football. There are also many new players coming through."
Midfielder Ki Hun Yeom said that both players were greatly admired by their team-mates. "They showed to the people all over the world that Korean football is getting better.
"They played in Europe for several years and are an inspiration for young players.
"Because it was their last match we wanted to give them a present because they contributed so much to the Korean football, but also because we wanted to qualify for the next Asian Cup finals."
Their national team coach Cho Kwang Rae said that both players would no longer play for their national team at the end of South Korea's 2011 Asian Cup campaign.
South Korea finished third at the showpiece event of Asian football with a 3-2 victory against Uzbekistan and, as a result, qualify directly for the 2015 edition in Australia.
Japan and Australia clash in the championship match on Saturday.
Manchester United midfielder Park, 29, who did not play against Uzbekistan on doctors' suggestions to prevent him from picking up an injury, played 100 games for his national side and was a part of three World Cup squads.
Lee, who is just eight games shy of the Korean record of 135 caps held by Hong Myung-bo, said that he respected Hong's record.
"Things should happen naturally, not forced," the 33-year-old said.
He said that he wanted Park to continue playing for South Korea. "There must be something personal in his decision and we should respect that.
"He sacrificed himself for the team. The younger generation will remember his sacrificing moments for team and passion for football."
He said he would continue playing for his Saudi Arabian club Al- Hilal.
At the end of the game, his teammates hoisted Lee, who declined the captain's armband for the game against Uzbekistan in Park's absence, on their shoulders and carried him to the South Korean fans amongst the 8,000 spectators, where he received a standing ovation.
Cho said the two players did a remarkable job for South Korean football. "I am grateful to them and I love both of them.
"It would be better if I could keep them and convince them to continue playing for the team, but the players have done well for South Korea and we have to accept their decision.
"I am sure that football fans would want to thank them for their contribution to South Korean football. There are also many new players coming through."
Midfielder Ki Hun Yeom said that both players were greatly admired by their team-mates. "They showed to the people all over the world that Korean football is getting better.
"They played in Europe for several years and are an inspiration for young players.
"Because it was their last match we wanted to give them a present because they contributed so much to the Korean football, but also because we wanted to qualify for the next Asian Cup finals."
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