Spain 3, South Korea 0
ADELAIDE, Australia -- Spain lived up to its billing as one of the favorites for the gold medal when it began its Olympic campaign Thursday with a 3-0 victory over South Korea.
A polished team that won the Under-20 world title last year, Spain easily dominated the Group B match and only some superb goalkeeping by Kim Yong-dae prevented a bigger Spanish victory.
Under a huge reddish full moon at the Hindmarsh Stadium before 14,060 fans that included a fast-paced South Korean percussion band, Spain was the first team to start sparkling.
After 10 minutes, Raul Tamudo ended an audacious run down the middle by sending a high, slightly swerving ball at the South Korean goal. But goalkeeper Kim Yong-dae made a stunning save, tipping the ball over the bar.
That shot led indirectly to the Spanish goal. The South Koran defense never managed to clear the ensuing corner and captain Toni Velamazan finally drilled a left-footed volley from more than 20 meters into the roof the South Korean net.
With a team made up mostly of collegians, South Korea chose to pack its defense and look for counters off long balls.
One move provided South Korea's first chance when Kim Do-hoon, one of the few professionals on the roster, charged down the left flank. No one met his threatening cross but the unsettled Spanish defense seemed to have lost its orientation until goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia caught the ball.
Spain, a highly rated team made up of emerging stars who play for big clubs at home, in Portugal and in Italy, replied quickly and Kang Chul came dangerously close to scoring an own goal, ending a clearance just wide of his own net with two Spaniards bearing down on net.
The Spanish pressure paid off in the 26th when AC Milan forward Jose Mari evaded South Korean captain Kim Do-kyun then smartly raced past Kang and Park Donbg-hyuk to create space for an open shot that again left Kim Yong-dae helpless.
The overmatched South Koreans conceded another one after 37 minutes. Tamudo, collecting a pass chipped over the South Korean defense, slipped but managed to hit the left post from a tough angle. The ball bounced into the middle of the South Korean box and Barcelona midfielder Xavier "Xavi" Hernandez pounced on it to score into the open side of the net.
It took two more outstanding saves from the Korean goalkeeper to prevent Spain from scoring quickly after the break. Kim Yong-dae first knocked away with his left foot a point-blank effort by Velamazan, then stretched to full length to turn away a 20-meter (yard) drive by Gabriel "Gabri" Garcia.
South Korea came close twice late in the match. A curling free kick over the Spanish wall had goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia scrambling to push it over the bar and then Kim Do-hoon failed to connect with a cross to the far post.
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Lineups
Spain: Daniel Aranzubia; Jesus-Mari Lacruz, Juan Capdevila, Carlos Marchena, Ivan Amaya; David Albelda (Ismael Ruiz, 79th minute), Xavier 'Xavi' Hernandez, Gabriel 'Gabri' Garcia, Toni Velamazan (Jordi Ferron, 68th), Jose Mari (Alberto Luque, 75th), Raul Tamudo.
South Korea: Kim Yong-dae; Park Ji-sung, Park Jae-hong, Lee Young-pyo, Park Dong-hyuk;Kang Chul (Sim Jae-won, 35th), Kim Do-kyun (Lee Dong-gook, 59th), Ko Jong-su, Kim Do-hoon, Lee Chun-soo (Park Jin, 76th), Kim Sang-sik.
Referee: Felipe Ramos Rizo, Mexico.
