2009.6.18 Thu
Korea Rep. finished qualification unbeaten thanks to PARK Ji Sung’s crisp finish: World Cup Asian Final Round Qualifying
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On the 17th in the last round of the FIFA World Cup Asian Final Round Qualifiers Group B matches, Korea Rep., who have already qualified first in their group, played Iran and drew 1-1.
Korea Rep. created chances right the off as they started with almost their best 11 at home in their final group match, including Manchester United (England) MF PARK Ji Sung and forwards FW PARK Chu Young and FW LEE Keun Ho up front. In the 15th minute, PARK Chu Yong played a nice 1-2 with LEE Keun Ho before shooting with his right foot. Then MF KI Sung Yueng shot from a FK. However Iran were alert to the danger of even the longest range efforts knowing that a loss would mean elimination from qualification. Then in injury time in the first half FW Masoud SHOJAEI had a good chance to score with his left foot but Korea Rep. GK LEE Woon Jae made a super save with his left hand to deny the striker a goal.
In the second half, it looked as if the victory would go to Iran. In the 6th minute a floated cross from the left wasn't dealt with by the Korea Rep. defense and Iran scored the opening goal. However even though their qualification was assured, Korea Rep. didn't want to lose at home and began to fight back. In the 63rd minute PARK Chu Young beat 2 defenders and shot left footed. Then in the 67th minute PARK Chu Young hit the left hand upright from a right sided FK. Then in the 75th minute SB LEE Young Pyo, left out of the starting line up, and 23 year old striker YANG Dong Hyen came on at the same time. As soon as LEE Young Pyo came on the left, things livened up for Korea Rep. and in the 81st minute PARK Ji Sung played an intricate 1-2 in tight space to create a break. Then he shot in to a tiny gap at the near post to score. In injury time MF CHO Won Hee was put through and collided with the GK but was unable to score to put Korea Rep, ahead but they finished qualification unbeaten with a record of 4 wins, 4 draws.
According to the Korea Rep. Football Association head coach HUH Jung Moo had the following to say looking ahead to next year’s World Cup “Ever since Mexico 1986 right up until Germany 2006 we have always been grouped with 2 European teams, in order to get through our group we’ll worked not only on skills but also on physical strength and spirit. With the cooperation of the KFA and secretary we condition our players and then have some international friendly matches against some of Europe’s best teams to ensure we are totally prepared.”
On the 17th in the last round of the FIFA World Cup Asian Final Round Qualifiers Group B matches, Korea Rep., who have already qualified first in their group, played Iran and drew 1-1.
Korea Rep. created chances right the off as they started with almost their best 11 at home in their final group match, including Manchester United (England) MF PARK Ji Sung and forwards FW PARK Chu Young and FW LEE Keun Ho up front. In the 15th minute, PARK Chu Yong played a nice 1-2 with LEE Keun Ho before shooting with his right foot. Then MF KI Sung Yueng shot from a FK. However Iran were alert to the danger of even the longest range efforts knowing that a loss would mean elimination from qualification. Then in injury time in the first half FW Masoud SHOJAEI had a good chance to score with his left foot but Korea Rep. GK LEE Woon Jae made a super save with his left hand to deny the striker a goal.
In the second half, it looked as if the victory would go to Iran. In the 6th minute a floated cross from the left wasn't dealt with by the Korea Rep. defense and Iran scored the opening goal. However even though their qualification was assured, Korea Rep. didn't want to lose at home and began to fight back. In the 63rd minute PARK Chu Young beat 2 defenders and shot left footed. Then in the 67th minute PARK Chu Young hit the left hand upright from a right sided FK. Then in the 75th minute SB LEE Young Pyo, left out of the starting line up, and 23 year old striker YANG Dong Hyen came on at the same time. As soon as LEE Young Pyo came on the left, things livened up for Korea Rep. and in the 81st minute PARK Ji Sung played an intricate 1-2 in tight space to create a break. Then he shot in to a tiny gap at the near post to score. In injury time MF CHO Won Hee was put through and collided with the GK but was unable to score to put Korea Rep, ahead but they finished qualification unbeaten with a record of 4 wins, 4 draws.
According to the Korea Rep. Football Association head coach HUH Jung Moo had the following to say looking ahead to next year’s World Cup “Ever since Mexico 1986 right up until Germany 2006 we have always been grouped with 2 European teams, in order to get through our group we’ll worked not only on skills but also on physical strength and spirit. With the cooperation of the KFA and secretary we condition our players and then have some international friendly matches against some of Europe’s best teams to ensure we are totally prepared.”