By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports
Captain Park Ji Sung scored the second goal against Greece to cement victory. (Image courtesy of Nike Singapore)
Match Review
Asian powerhouse South Korea kicked off their World Cup campaign with a bang as they outclassed 2004 European champions Greece 2-0.
The Taegeuk Warriors put on a masterful performance with a display of pace and aggression that overwhelmed the Greeks. The first goal came as early as the 7th minute when South Korea was awarded a free kick on the left touchline. A Ki Sung-Yueng freekick picked out an unmarked Lee Jong-Soo at the far post and the latter volleyed into the right corner of the goal.
South Korea continued to attack thereafter and could have increased their lead on a couple of occasions. Firstly winger Lee Chung-Yong looked to be tripped from behind by Avraam Papadopoulos inside the box but the referee waved away the appeals. Then on 27 minutes, Park Chu-Young was released into the box by a superb Park Ji-Sung through pass through the middle but his shot was well tipped over by Greece keeper Alexandros Tzorvas.
Greece. who did not have a decent shot on goal, continued their lacklustre performance at the start of the second half and soon paid the price as South Korea scored their second on 52 minutes. A poor pass in midfield by centre back Loukas Vyntra saw Park Ji-Sung steal in before holding off two defenders to fire coolly into the bottom right corner.
Greece finally got their act together midway through and threatened on several occcasions. However some poor finishing in front of goal saw them failed to get the equaliser. The closest they came was on 80 minutes when forward Theofanis Gekas’s fierce volley inside the box was well tipped over by Korea keeper Jung Sung-Ryong.
The win put South Korea on top of Group B with three points, ahead of second-placed Argentina, on goal difference.
Next, Group B pundits Victoria Junior College’s Khairul Anwar and Alfred Ali provides us their post-match opinions. Khairul predicted a 1-0 win for South Korea while Alfred predicted a 1-1 draw.
Khairul Anwar of VJC. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Khairul Says:
Korea dominated for most of the match with hints of a Greek comeback especially from the 70th minute onwards when Greece had three goalscoring chances in five minutes. Complacency or lack of fitness?
Greece played like rubbish and were lucky not to be down by a larger margin. South Korea were led by a lively Park Ji-Sung who imposed himself in the midfield superbly. Park Chu Young was a real handful for the Greek defenders and ran riot the whole game.
The Greek midfield simply had no answer to the sublime footwork and determination of the Korean captain. Park Ji-Sung was rewarded for his hard work with a goal in the second half as he capitalised on some poor ball control skills of a Greek midfielder and sprinted past 2 defenders to slot the ball beautifully in the bottom right hand corner of the goal.
South Korea spurned two great opportunities to put the game beyond the reach of the Greeks in the later stages of the game, with Lee Chung-Yong and Park Chu-Young both going close. Although Greece did come back to life towards the end of the game, it was simply too late to salvage anything out the wreckage they have created for themselves. It was the result of some extremely poor defending and man-marking.
Kudos to South Korea!
Alfred Ali of VJC. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Alfred Says:
South Korea saw off an lacklustre Greece side.
Winger Lee Chung Yong was lively right from the start to create chances for his team mates. His best chance to score was well saved by the Greek goalkeeper on the 86th minute. Meanwhile Greece centre back Kyrgiakos, along with his whole defence, performed really badly. Their shaky defense was the reason why South Korea managed to grab the first goal. The defensive mix-up caused them to concede the first goal.
Although Greece applied the pressure on late in the second half,it was already too late. Two veterans, Angelos Charisteas and Giorgos Karagounis who were crucial players in their 2004 European triumph were ineffectual and off the pace. Both players were eventually substituted out and Greece’s coach Otto Rehhagel would have to rethink his tactics in time for their next game against Nigeria. The team looked bereft of ideas, lacked organisation and had no idea in the final third of the pitch.
Turning Point: South Korea’s early opener
The first goal came very early. Once South Korea got their noses in front, the Greeks had no idea what was going on. After that first goal, the Greeks found it difficult to settle down and only managed to settle down late into the game.
Man of the Match: Park Ji-Sung
Racing against time to be fit for this match, he managed to start the match and eventually scoring the second goal for his country. Park caused many problems for the Greeks with his constant running and endless supply of energy. Park led by example as captain and pushed his team mates to perform.
More Reports and Reactions
South Korea coach Huh Jong-Moo speaks
Greece coach Otto Rehaggel speaks
Video highlights of the game
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARGENTINA  | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 9 |
SOUTH KOREA  | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
GREECE  | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 3 |
NIGERIA  | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 1 |
For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/
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