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DAEGU, South Korea (Ticker) -- Co-host South Korea and Turkey exceeded all expectations in the World Cup but had to settle for playing out the third-place match Saturday, one in which teams traditionally have a hard time going full throttle. However, in this matchup, a lot of pride for both sides and the prestige of finishing third may be incentive enough to go all out. It is a premiere for both countries -- considered outsiders -- at this stage. South Korea, the first Asian team to reach the final four, had a strong run to the semifinals. But those performances were overshadowed in the knockout stages by accusations of favorable treatment from officials. The Korean run included wins and knocks against some top European sides: Poland, Portugal, Italy and Spain. But the string came to an end against a superior and more experienced Germany in the semifinals. Some of the young Korean players have at stake contracts with European clubs. Cha Du Ri, the son of South Korea's best soccer product, Cha Bum Kun, may be headed for Germany, where his father played. The 21-year-old Cha showed some good determination in the semifinal loss and has been linked with Bayer Leverkusen. Lee Chun Soo, 20, Park Ji Sung, 21, and Song Chong Gug, 23, all have caught the eyes of European scouts. Park scored the goal against Portugal that sent Korea as group winner into the second round. Meanwhile, Ahn Jung Hwan stated he will not return to Perugia in Serie A after the Italian side got rid of him for scoring the winning goal against Italy in the round of 16. Perugia president Luciano Gaucci attacked the player verbally, then changed his mind and said he wants the 25-year-old striker back. Ahn's agent said teams from Germany, England, Spain and Scotland are interested. On the other side, Turkey established itself as a European soccer side to contend with. Turkish players already are well-known in top European leagues in England, Italy and the three Turkish giants Galatasaray, Besiktas and Fenerbahce. Many have had impressive efforts -- Hasan Sas, Ilhann Manisz, Arif Erdem, Ergun Penbe may secure more prosperous contracts abroad. Sas, a hard worker on the field, has been arguably Turkey's best player in the tournament. Turkey is the first team since Italy and Bulgaria in 1994 to lose its first World Cup match and still advance to the semifinals. |
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