By Les Tan/Red Sports
South Africa, Saturday, June 26, 2010 — Uruguay saw off the challenge of South Korea 2-1 in an absorbing last-16 World Cup game.
Park Chu Yong struck the post from a direct free kick in the 5th minute but Korea instead saw themselves down 0-1 in under 10 minutes.
A basic mistake by the Korean keeper Jun Song Ryung gave Uruguay an early 9th minute goal. A cross in from Diego Forlan looked innocent enough but Song Ryung failed to come out quickly enough to cut it out. The ball rolled on to Luis Suarez who guided it straight into an unguarded goal.
The action in the second half alone would have been worth the entry price. With rain pouring down on the badly cut up field, the Uruguayans sat back and the momentum shifted towards the Koreans.
Park Chu Yong had a great chance to equalise in the 51st minute when the ball fell to him. Unmarked in the penalty box, he volleyed it over the bar.
Captain Park Ji Sung then had a header saved in the 58th minute before Korea finally drew level in the 67th.
Ji Sung sent in a a free kick that was not cleared properly by Uruguay and Lee Chung Yong headed in over a stranded Fernando Muslera. Facile tried to clear off the line but could not stop Chung Yong’s second goal in four games.
Chung Yong then had a chance to score Korea’s second goal in the 70th minute after he was put clear on goal but he shot straight at the keeper.
Then came the second goal by Suarez that will surely be voted one of the best goals of this World Cup. Korea failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Suarez at the top of the penalty box. He beat one man and then curled the ball into the back of the net off the right post.
There was more drama left in the game when Korean substitute Lee Dong Gook was clear on goal with only keeper Muslera to beat. However, his mishit shot lacked power and even though the ball squirmed under the keeper and rolled towards the unguarded goal, the Uruguayan defence cleared it in time.
Korea will rue this loss because they dominated the game in most aspects. But poor goalkeeping and a lack of finishing let them down.
Uruguay, thanks to the incisive finishing of Suarez, move on to a date against the USA or Ghana, their first quarter-final appearance since 1970.
Uruguay are one of five South American countries in the last 16, the best performance by the continent to date.
More News and Reaction
Video highlights of the game
Game photos
Guardian Online: Uruguay see off South Korea with Luis Suárez double
2010 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Fixtures
| SGP DATE/DAY | SGP TIME | COUNTRY A | COUNTRY B | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, Sat | 10pm | Uruguay  | 2 | South Korea  | 1 |
| Jun 27, Sun | 2.30am | USA  | 1 | Ghana  | 2 |
| Jun 27, Sun | 10pm | Germany  | 4 | England  | 1 |
| Jun 28, Mon | 2.30am | Argentina  | 3 | Mexico  | 1 |
| Jun 28, Mon | 10pm | Holland  | 2 | Slovakia  | 1 |
| Jun 29, Tue | 2.30am | Brazil  | 3 | Chile  | 0 |
| Jun 29, Tue | 10pm | Paraguay  | 0 (5) | Japan  | 0 (3) |
| Jun 30, Wed | 2.30am | Spain  | 1 | Portugal  | 0 |
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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