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GWANGJU, South Korea (Ticker) -- Captain Hong Myung Bo converted the clinching penalty kick to give South Korea a 5-3 penalty-shootout victory over Spain following scoreless regulation and extra-time periods in their quarterfinal matchup. South Korea became the first Asian nation to reach the World Cup semifinals. "I cannot describe how I'm feeling," South Korea coach Guus Hiddink said. "I'm disconnected at this moment. It was a tremendous achievement by the players. It was a 50-50 game." The Koreans will face the three-time World Cup champion Germans in Tuesday's semifinal in Seoul. "Is it true that we are advancing to the semifinals?," South Korea defender Choi Jin Cheul said. "It's unbelievable. I just hope that we recover our full strength soon and prepare for the next game." The co-host was ahead in the penalty shootout, 4-3, when Spain's Joaquin hesitated on his run up to the ball and then watched as his weak kick was saved easily by Korean goalkeeper Lee Woon Jae. "We need to concentrate on our next match against Germany," Lee said. "Germany are very good at balls in the air. Oliver Kahn is a good player, but I believe our attacks can score goals." Spain had -- what appeared to be -- a valid goal disallowed as the ball was mistakenly ruled by the linesman to have traveled over the end line in the second minute of extra time. Joaquin made the cross and Fernando Morientes headed the ball home. But the whistle blew as the linesman had raised his flag. "I don't want to comment about that," Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho said. "It was a difficult game. ... Too bad that we lost. We have worked hard and fought our best, but the other team had more luck." In the 100th minute, Morientes hit the post on a half-volley from inside the box. Two minutes earlier, the Real Madrid forward's long-range shot took a deflection before Lee covered the ball. Spain, which was seeking a place in the semifinals for just the second time since 1950, dominated play, outshooting South Korea, 17-8. But the Spaniards failed to find the net. In the round of 16, luck was on Spain's side as the Iberian nation ousted Ireland on penalties. The Koreans also sent the three-time World Cup champion Italians packing in the round of 16 with a golden goal. South Korea had not won a World Cup match in five previous appearances. Hwang Sun Hong, Park Ji Sung, Seol Ki Hyeon and Ahn Jung Hwan converted for the Koreans before Hong hit the winner with the fifth kick. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas blocked Hwang's shot, but the ball somehow rolled under him and into the net. Spain's captain Fernando Hierro, Ruben Baraja and substitute Xavi hit the target before Joaquin failed to score. Both teams started the match tentatively before Spain settled in and gained control of possession. Baraja had the first chance after 18 minutes, but his bicycle kick went wide. Morientes and Hierro had a pair of dangerous headers apiece, all of which were off target. De Pedro finished a solo run just before the break with a blast, but Lee punched it aside. Romero then had a chance seconds later, but also fired wide of the net. Just five minutes into the second half, Baraja actually hit the back of the net via Kim Tae Young's deflection, but Egyptian referee Gamal Ghandour already called a foul for shirt pulling. Joaquin also struggled to find his scoring touch. One of his shots was stopped by Lee and another hit the side netting. Korea did not record a shot on goal until the 66th minute, when Park Ji Sung forced goalkeeper Iker Casillas to stop a point-blank shot. In the 90th minute, Casillas thwarted Lee Chun Soo's effort from the edge of the box. Spain obviously missed the finishing skills of Raul. The superstar, who formed a strong partnership with Real Madrid teammate Morientes, was out with a groin injury. |
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