Updated: Friday June 14, 2002 11:55 AM ET	Fri June 14 Games Japan 2 Tunisia 0 - FINAL Russia 2 Belgium 3 - FINAL South Korea 1 Portugal 0 - FINAL United States 1 Poland 3 - FINAL
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South Korea 1, Portugal 0

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INCHEON, South Korea (Ticker) -- Park Ji Sung scored with 20 minutes left as South Korea edged shorthanded Portugal, 1-0, to win Group D.

The South Koreans also helped the Americans advance to the round of 16, while sending the Portuguese home. The U.S. was embarrassed by already-eliminated Poland in Daejeon, 3-1.

South Korea booked a meeting with three-time champion Italy on Tuesday, while the U.S. meets CONCACAF rival Mexico on Monday in Jeonju.

"Nobody expected that USA and Korea would make it to the second round, and the same way nobody expected Portugal, France and Argentina would be out," Portugal coach Antonio Oliveira said.

Park's goal allowed South Korea to maintain the perfect record of host nations, who have advanced from the first round at every World Cup. Co-host Japan also accomplished the feat earlier Friday by winning its group.

Park chested down a long pass, lifted the ball with finesse past Sergio Conceicao and drove a low left-footed shot between the legs of Portuguese goalkeeper Vitor Baia.

"We played strong teams until now and we played a good game to get to the last 16," said the 21-year-old Park, who nearly hit a second in the final minutes. "I think the (South Korean) players as a whole have gained a lot of confidence from our training sessions until now."

South Korea coach Guus Hiddink concurred.

"The team is growing every day," he said. "These players have the ability to learn very fast. I'm very proud of them."

Playing down two men for the final 25 minutes, Portugal, which was touted as one of the pre-tournament favorites, nearly grabbed the point it needed to advance by throwing everyone forward.

Despite coming close, the Portuguese failed to convert three opportunities down the stretch.

"I am very disappointed, this is not the result we expected," Oliveira said. "We didn't achieve our goal, which was to go to the knockout phase. But after tonight, I have to compliment Korea and wish them good luck. I also compliment my players for the great job they did.

"We have to remember we played with nine players and we had some bad luck at the end of the match -- two or three chances to score."

With the exception of the final 10 minutes, Portugal played an incredibly undisciplined match. It turned quite ugly in the 27th minute, when Joao Pinto launched a nasty tackle from behind on Park, earning a red card.

The Portuguese players approached Argentine referee Angel Sanchez in protest, but really had no argument. In fact, captain Fernando Couto can consider himself lucky not to have been sent off for touching the official on the face with both hands.

The match was still scoreless when Beto, who was issued a yellow card in the first half, made a foolish tackle on Lee Young Pyo in the 65th minute to earn a second caution and an automatic dismissal.

"In my opinion, it would make no sense to make any comments about red cards, referees or whether they were good decisions or bad decisions. It takes nowhere to make any comments on that at this moment," Oliveira said.

Before Beto was sent off, superstar Luis Figo, who rarely displayed his brilliance at this event, sent in a cross to Pauleta. The strike got down well to head the ball on net. But Korean goalkeeper Lee Woon Jae was equally well positioned, punching the ball to safety.

Figo almost equalized with 16 minutes left. His free kick from the edge of the box traveled just wide of the left upright.

Then in the 85th minute, substitute Nuno Gomez found himself alone and unmarked just six yards from goal. However, he wasted the golden opportunity to score perhaps the easiest of goals, failing to time his run properly and stumbling to the ground.

In the 89th minute, Sergio Conceicao struck a nine-yard volley, which hit the left post. Conceicao had another chance in injury time, turning two defenders in the box and firing a point-blank shot. But Lee stood his ground and blocked the ball aside.

The first half was possibly the most dreary to this point in the World Cup. Neither side registered a shot on goal, but each team committed 11 fouls apiece.

Despite its strong showing against Poland -- a 4-0 rout -- Portugal goes home in disgrace. Defeats to the United States and South Korea showed Portugal to be caught off guard by these non-traditional soccer countries.