I am fascinated by the Koreans who have great team spirit and determination despite being 1-0 down before half-time. I must say that whilst I was impressed with their workrate, I couldn't help but wonder whether they will win the match especially when they had to play against players who were physically stronger, taller and bigger. Many a times, the Korean players were brought down by tackles, some good, some clumsy.
Nevertheless, after much pressing, the Koreans won a free kick when Park Ji Sung was fell just outside the penalty box. Park was one of the more creative players on for the Koreans and he also plays for Manchester United, the club which I support.
This is Park Ji Sung.
(Picture taken from Manchester United's Official Website)
The tackle by Jean-Paul Abalo resulted in a second yellow card being flashed out at him and he had to leave the field. Lee Chun Soo took the freekick and scored Korea's equaliser.
South Korea's Lee Chun Soo , left, scores against Togo during the
Group G match between South Korea and Togo at the soccer
World Cup 2006 at the World Cup Stadium in Frankfurt, Germany,
Tuesday, June 13, 2006. The other teams in Group G are France
and Switzerland. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Copyright: AP (Fifa World Cup 2006 Website)
Copyright: AP (Fifa World Cup 2006 Website)He celebrated.
I must say it takes a bit of getting used to seeing a blonde Korean. He definitely came to impress and he did.
But the best was yet to come. In the 2002 World Cup which was jointly held by Korea and Japan, Korea's darling was a striker named Ahn Jung Hwan. He was their pin-up poster boy who broke the hearts of the Italians. This time, he broke the hearts of the Togolese nation who have qualified for their first ever World Cup.
He struck the winning goal in the 72nd minute. It was a beautiful goal which every player would be proud of.
But the best was yet to come. In the 2002 World Cup which was jointly held by Korea and Japan, Korea's darling was a striker named Ahn Jung Hwan. He was their pin-up poster boy who broke the hearts of the Italians. This time, he broke the hearts of the Togolese nation who have qualified for their first ever World Cup.
He struck the winning goal in the 72nd minute. It was a beautiful goal which every player would be proud of.
He celebrated.He is going to be more popular in Korea than ever. Perhaps not to the Italians nor Togolese.
The nation celebrates.
South Korean soccer fans react after their soccer team scored the second goal
against Togo during 2006 FIFA World Cup Group G game, in Seoul Tuesday,
June 13, 2006. South Korea defeated Togo with 2-1. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Copyright: AP
I celebrated. It was a win for Korea...the fans were magnificient with their support.
It was also a win for Asia.
Daehan Minguk!
(Photo credits to the Fifa World Cup 2006 website and Manchester United Football Club website)
