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Germany keeps overachieving
Koreans honor tournament in exit, but Turkish dream lives
Posted: Tuesday June 25, 2002 10:29 AM
Updated: Tuesday June 25, 2002 10:58 AM
CNNSI.com's World Cup analyst Gabriele Marcotti is covering every kick of the tournament, with a "91st Minute" column filed each matchday. Click here to submit a comment or question to Marcotti's mailbag.
Germany succeeded where Italy and Spain failed, getting the best of South Korea with a 1-0 victory that opens the door to their record seventh World Cup final.
Both teams changed things around, with Germany recalling Carsten Ramelow and picking Marco Bode over Christian Ziege and South Korea dropping players like Ahn Jung-hwang and Kim Nam-il.
Given the breakneck pace at which South Korea played most of the tournament, it was obvious that Guus Hiddink's men were going to show some sign of fatigue (which explains some of the initial changes in the starting 11). However, it was South Korea that had the initiative early and, after just eight minutes, Oliver Kahn pulled off his umpteenth miracle of the tournament, a one-handed save off a surging Lee Chun-soo shot. It was brilliant and, frankly, could have set a whole different tone to the rest of the match.
Germany reacted as it often does, calmly and without panicking, focusing on shutting down the space and methodically moving the ball to create chances. For the first time in the tournament, Hiddink chose to man-mark an opponent, Michael Ballack, with Yoo Sang-chul. It did limit Ballack's effectiveness for much of the game, but it also neutralized Yoo's potential coming forward.
There were few goal chances in the first half (apart from Lee's effort), partly because Hiddink failed to find tactical chinks in the German armor. The Koreans, despite showing great spirit, did seem to lack some of the edge they showed in previous matches, especially in terms of quickness. Germany seemed content to defend well (Ramelow was very sharp) and look for chances on set-pieces where it could use its tremendous size advantage.
The match seemed headed for extra time, but with fifteen minutes to go Ballack got away from Yoo and materialized at the edge of the box where he met a low cross with a first-time finish. Lee Woon-jae parried it straight back to Ballack, and the Bayer Leverkusen man put it home on the rebound. Korea stormed back -- by this point the heroic Ahn had been thrown into the fray -- but Germany simply tightened the hatches, bringing in Jens Jeremies. Only once in this tournament did Germany take a 1-0 lead and let the opposition back in (against Ireland in the group stage) and it was always going to be difficult for South Korea.
Hiddink's men were giving a rousing applause as they walked off the pitch -- and rightly so. They were not responsible for the refereeing controversy; they did not ask for whatever favorable calls they stand accused of receiving. They simply honored the tournament with spirit and guts.
Hiddink will now be leaving Korea, and it's up to the Korean Football Association to turn the outstanding performance in this World Cup into something that can last over time, making the team a perennial contender.
As for Germany, it has come up with three straight 1-0 victories, proving that in terms of knowing how to win, few are better. This may well be the worst German World Cup team since the early 1960s, but it is getting the job done with pride, intelligence and hard work. Credit also Voeller, a man whom many doubted but who has gotten the best out of a tired, battle-worn bunch.
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Oliver Kahn (Germany).
His crucial save after just eight minutes avoided a dangerous uphill battle, but he is a hero for his performances throughout this tournament. As close to an MVP as you can get.
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Michael Ballack (Germany).
Struggled to get free for most of the match but did it when it mattered, popping up to score the game-winning goal. His yellow card means he will miss the final, and it's a huge blow for Germany.
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Perugia chairman Luciano Gaucci brought shame and derision on himself and his club with his comments about dropping Ahn Jung-hwang, the South Korean player whose goal helped eliminate Italy. It was a foolish thing to do, as it made him look silly (not for the first time, as Perugia-watchers will know) and, worse, allowed non-soccer people to come out of the woodwork and criticize him -- such as the English trade union, which said it would file a complaint with the European Union for "unfair dismissal."
First of all, Ahn was never fired. Soccer players can't be fired (unless they breach their contracts). Rather, he was on loan to Perugia, and the club had a chance to buy him outright by exercising an option by a certain date. Gaucci basically said he would not be exercising that option (along with a bunch of gratuitous insults).
The funny thing in all this is that it now appears that Perugia will, in fact, buy Ahn outright, if only -- as some suggested -- to sell him on at a profit after the World Cup.
It just goes to show the obvious -- that when there is a potential buck to be made, people's righteous (and, in Gaucci's case, misguided) indignation, goes out the window.
Ahn is a lovely guy (I met him last season) and a class act. It's unfortunate that he got caught up in this mess, but I know he's professional enough to not let this controversy affect him. Wherever he plays next season, whether it's at Perugia or (more likely) elsewhere, he'll make a solid contribution.
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Turkey getting this far in the tournament is as much of a fairy-tale story as South Korea. The Koreans have made regular appearances in the World Cup in recent years, while this is Turkey's second-ever trip to the competition (and the first since 1950). Facing Senol Gunes' men is none other than Brazil, the hot favorite for the competition.
As if that weren't motivation alone, the Turks are spurred on by the acrimonious relationship with their own country's media (at a turbulent press conference on Monday, Hasan Sas told the assembled press "You've insulted Hakan Sukur, which is like insulting every one of us. We will make you pay for what you've written.") as well as what happened when the two teams met earlier in the competition. On that occasion, the Korean referee granted Brazil a controversial penalty for a foul by Alpay on Edilson, which replays showed was outside the box.
Sukur himself has an abdominal injury, but appears a lock to start the match, while left back Hakan Unsal is unlikely to be fit. Brazil is careful not to be overconfident, but it's obvious that Luiz Felipe Scolari's troops are the overwhelming favorites, at least on paper. Ronaldinho is suspended following his red card against England (expect Denilson to take his place), while Ronaldo is doubtful, but ought to make an appearance (if he doesn't, Scolari will probably rely on Luizao). Goalkeeper Marcos picked up a knock in training, but he ought to make it as well.
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Brazil:
1. Cut off supply to Hakan Sukur. He doesn't score many goals, but he is outstanding at winning headers and creating space for teammates. Take him out and Turkey loses a lot of punch up front.
2. Use the flanks. Roberto Carlos and Cafu are the best wide-man pairing in the competition, and keeping them up the pitch will stretch the Turkish back four.
3. Gilberto Silva. Brazil's most unglamorous player, he does the donkey work in front of the defense, but he is crucial because it is his presence that allows his midfield colleagues to come forward. He's the filter that snuffs out danger before it his the back line, and he'll need a big game.
Turkey:
1. Don't allow Brazil's forwards to turn. Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Denilson are devastating when they run at defenders. The trick will be forcing them to receive the ball with their backs to goal.
2. Let Yildiray Basturk and Emre Belozoglu create. This means getting them the ball in dangerous positions and letting them do what they do best. Their teammates will also have to do a lot of the running for them defensively, to ensure they are fresh when they get the ball.
3. Stay mentally focused. A loss of discipline has been Turkey's undoing in the past; Gunes' men need to remain mentally strong and not let refereeing decisions or what happened in the previous match get to them.
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Do you think Africa is right up there with the world's top-class teams? African representatives didn't fare too badly in the World Cup. Senegal was superb, while Nigeria gave a good account of themselves in the group of death.
--Hassan Wada, Lagos, Nigeria
Answer:
I think African soccer overall ranks just behind Europe and South America. In fact, there possibly is as much depth of quality in Africa as there is South America, where Argentina and Brazil stand head and shoulders above the rest.
Having said that, I think Africa as a whole performed poorly in this World Cup, though maybe that has more to do with the fact that I rate African soccer highly and expected it to do more.
Senegal was wonderful, of course, but I was very disappointed with Cameroon and Nigeria. I expected Cameroon to beat Ireland and grab at least a point against Germany... the talent was there.
As for Nigeria, I think the Super Eagles, in terms of individual ability, are among the top six countries in the world. I know there was a lot of controversy and disorganization leading up to the tournament and perhaps they paid the price for that. Still, I think beating England and Sweden was within Nigeria's potential.
South Africa was a big disappointment as well. Tunisia got some bad refereeing breaks, but also didn't play to its potential. As I said, perhaps I simply expect too much of African soccer. I have a feeling though that African teams will be back with a vengeance in four years.
Click here to read Marcotti's most recent mailbag, and here to submit a comment or question.
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