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Korea makes history Host beats Spain on penalties, advances to semifinalsPosted: Saturday June 22, 2002 2:15 AMUpdated: Saturday June 22, 2002 11:08 AM
KWANGJU, South Korea (Reuters) -- South Korea's incredible World Cup adventure took them into the semifinals on Saturday when they beat Spain in a penalty shootout. The co-hosts won it 5-3 after the match finished goalless after 120 minutes to become the first Asian team to reach the last four -- and only the second side from outside Europe and South America to do so (after the U.S. in 1930). Captain Hong Myung-bo converted the final spot-kick to detonate the stadium into delirium after goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae saved 20-year-old Joaquin's fourth effort for Spain. The co-hosts will now face Germany in Tuesday's semifinal for the right to play in the Yokohama final on June 30. Brazil will play either Turkey or Senegal in the other semifinal. The defeat is another agonizing chapter in Spain's miserable World Cup record as they sought to reach the final four for the first time in 52 years. To add to their pain they were denied two goals -- one in extra time -- because of dubious decisions by a linesman. (Analysis: Korea rides luck into history) "I can't describe the feeling. I'm so happy for the boys. More dreams have come true. We'll have a little glass of champagne now and what comes tomorrow comes tomorrow," said Korean coach Guus Hiddink. Spain's coach Jose Antonio Camacho said: "I thought the referee would be fairer in a quarterfinal match like this. We fought to the end and went out because South Korea were luckier than us. I am just sorry we couldn't go any further." (Camacho joins condemnation of referees)
The row over the disallowed goals is sure to rumble on after Italy also claimed poor refereeing had led to their exit in the last round at the hands of the Koreans. The co-hosts, though, could hardly believe their World Cup dream was still alive after failing in their five previous finals appearances to win a single match. Captain Hong is playing in his fourth finals. (Korean fans rejoice.) For both teams, it was the second time running that they had endured extra time, Spain beating Ireland on penalties and South Korea ousting Italy with a golden goal from Ahn Jung-hwan in their second round matches. South Korea's passionate "Red Devils" supporters packed the stands for the prospect of another glorious victory over European heavyweights, following their huge upset wins against Portugal and Italy. In extra time, Spain's Fernando Morientes twice thought he had settled it, controversially having a goal disallowed because the ball was ruled to have earlier run out of play and another shot struck the woodwork. Iker Casillas was forced into a fine save on 67 minutes, beating away a snap shot from Park Ji-sung, but there had been little else for the fans to cheer about for long stretches in a game mostly dominated by Spain. Started cautiously Both sides started cautiously and only a couple of quick Ahn breaks from midfield into the penalty area created any danger in the first 10 minutes. Spain, playing Morientes as a lone forward in the absence of Raul, were content to sit back and conserve energy with the heat and humidity among the side's main concerns.
A Morientes header gave Spain their first good chance on 27 minutes, goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae clutching the ball gratefully just under his crossbar. South Korea were getting nowhere, as Ivan Helguera and Baraja created a formidable barrier in front of the defense and Spain gradually took control of the game. With halftime approaching, Javi de Pedro flashed a left-foot shot just wide from 20 meters and in injury time Fernando Hierro rose highest in a crowded area to head over. Spain thought they had taken the lead four minutes into the second half. De Pedro's freekick cross went in after hitting the back of Kim Tae-young as a group of players went up for the header but the goal was disallowed, apparently for offside. Spain were now looking menacing and Joaquin cut in again from the right to force a save. South Korea did sound one warning with Park's goalbound effort but Spain were in the driving seat as they looked to match their best World Cup performance of fourth back in 1950. Then in the second minute of extra time, Morientes headed the ball home from inside the six-meter box but the linesman ruled that the ball had already crossed the deadball line although TV replays indicated it had not. Morientes went agonizingly close to claiming a last four spot for Spain eight minutes later, his flick from a quickly taken throw rebounding off the far post. Both sides confidently converted the first seven penalties before Joaquin's weak strike was saved by Lee Woon-jae diving to his left. Hong then coolly dispatched his decisive spot-kick. Raul out of Spain sideSpain's leading striker Raul was left on the bench for Saturday's World Cup quarterfinal against South Korea after failing to recover from a groin injury in time to make the starting team. Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho opted to play Fernando Morientes as a lone forward. In a revamped midfield, speedy winger Joaquin was preferred to Luis Enrique on the right, while Ivan Helguera was set to play just in front of the back four. Miguel Angel Nadal was recalled to partner Fernando Hierro at centerback, with Romero in for Juanfran on the left. South Korea were unchanged from the side that beat Italy in the second round. Key defender Kim Tae-young was included despite his broken nose, with defensive midfielder Kim Nam-il also in the side after recovering from a twisted ankle. Summary:Spain 0 South Korea 0 - after extra-time (South Korea win 5-3 on penalties) World Cup, quarterfinal
Penalty shootout
South Korea Spain
Hwang Sun-hong scored 1-0
1-1 Fernando Hierro scored
Park Ji-sung scored 2-1
2-2 Ruben Baraja scored
Seol Ki-hyeon scored 3-2
3-3 Xavi scored
Ahn Jung-hwan scored 4-3
4-3 Joaquin missed
Hong Myung-Bo scored 5-3
Yellow cards: Spain - Javi de Pedro 53 South Korea - Yoo sang-chul 52 Halftime: 0-0; Attendance: 42,114 Teams: Spain (4-5-1): 1-Iker Casillas; 5-Carles Puyol, 6-Fernando Hierro, 20-Miguel Angel Nadal, 15-Romero; 22-Joaquin, 8-Ruben Baraja, 4-Ivan Helguera (19-Xavi 94), 11-Javi de Pedro (16-Gaizka Mendieta 70), 17-Juan Carlos Valeron (21-Luis Enrique 80); 9-Fernando Morientes South Korea (4-4-2): 1-Lee Woon-jae; 22-Song Chong-gug, 4-Choi Jin-cheul, 20-Hong Myung-bo, 7-Kim Tae-young (18-Hwang Sun-hong 90); 21-Park Ji-sung, 6-Yoo Sang-chul (14-Lee Chun-soo 61), 5-Kim Nam-il (13-Lee Eul-yong 32), 10-Lee Young-pyo; 19-Ahn Jung-hwan, 9-Seol Ki-hyeon Match referee: Gamal Ghandour (Egypt) Linesmen: Ali Tomusange (Uganda), Michael Ragoonath (Trinidad)
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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