Korea makes it to final 16 in World Cup

(Photo: Yonhap News)

The South Korean national team has made it to the round of 16 in the 2010 South Africa World Cup.

Korea made it to the next round after tying 2-2 with Nigeria on Wednesday, June 23 (Korean time). With this latest victory, Korea has become the first Asian team to secure its advancement to the knockout round.

During the game at Durban Stadium, it was Nigeria’s Kalu Uche who scored the first goal. The Korean team soon caught up with a shot from Lee Jung-soo. The feat was followed by an additional goal by Park Chu-young. The game ended in a draw however when Yakubu Aiyegbeni scored from a penalty kick. The ending results of the two teams were different, however.  

Throughout the group round, Korea secured four positive points, having beaten Greece 2-0 and losing to Argentine 4-1. Argentina secured six points, ending up second place winner in Group B. The first place winner of the same group is Argentina that also secured its ticket to the round of 16 after defeating Greece 2-0 on the same day, recording its third consecutive victory.
Greece, with one win and two losses, and Nigeria, with one tie and two losses, were both eliminated.

This is the first time the Korean team qualified into the top 16 since its first time during the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. It is also the very first time Korea made it so far outside the home country, although it has managed to make it to the final tournament seven times in a row – eight times in all when counting its debut in 1954. Korea’s qualification to the round of 16 is also the highest record out of any Asian countries.

Head coach Huh Jong-moo was equally honored for the latest achievement as the first non foreign coach to lead the team this far.
Korea’s next match is against Uruguay at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth this coming Saturday (Jun. 26), 11 p.m. (Korea time).

Fighting spirit goes on

(Photo: Yonhap News)

Coach Huh used the line-up of 4-4-2 for the match against Nigeria’s “Super Eagles” team. Park Chu-young and Yeom Ki-hun stood at the fore while Lee Chung-yong and Park Ji-sung took up the flanking positions. Cha Du-ri took the right full-back and Jung Sung-Ryong was the goalkeeper.

Only eight minutes into the game Korea began its attack with Ki Sung-yeung’s mid-range shot. A mistake in defense however, led Nigeria to score its first goal.

But the Korean players never gave up. After some missed chances and close calls, the final opportunity came 38 minutes into the first half of the game, when Lee Young-pyo gained a free kick.

Striker Ki Sung-yeung shot the ball toward Lee Jung-soo, which he received with his head, before kicking it right inside the net, tying the score.

The turn-around goal came during the late half of the game when Park Chu-young earned a free kick just four minutes into the second half. Park’s sharp curve granted Korea its second goal. He dropped to his knees immediately for a prayer of thanks.

Nigeria managed to win its second goal through a penalty kick later in the game. But at the final whistle it was all over and Korean players hugged each other to celebrate their advancement to the next round.

At home, Korean fans rejoiced at the result, having watched the game live from 3:30 a.m. in the morning local time.