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2 - 0Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
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Korea Republic Favored To Win
South Korea lost their last two friendly matches in the build up for their 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign. The Red Devils beat Asian rivals Japan on May 24 in a warm-up game. However, they stumbled against European minnows Belarus and European champions Spain on a 1-0 score line as they closed their preparations before travelling to South Africa.
But despite these latest miserable results, The Tigers of Asia remain favorites to clinch victory on Saturday, June 12. There are two reasons behind this thought. Firstly, South Korean supporters are confident that their team will raise their level of performance when it matters the most to prove that Asia has something to offer when it comes to football. Secondly, their Greek opponents presently don’t look that dangerous – neither in terms of form, nor in terms of results.
Besides, the Tigers of Asia have received a boost ahead of their 2010 World Cup opener on Saturday. Attacking-minded players Park Ji-Sung and Lee Dong-Gook are set to feature for their team and thus increase South Korea’s chances of securing a good result. Speaking to Korea Times about Park Ji-Sung’s condition, Coach Huh Jung-Moo declared:
“Park Ji-Sung is feeling fine. He felt a slight soreness on his hamstring; that is why we didn’t let him play in the friendly match against Spain.”
The Manchester United midfielder and Korea Republic captain is expected to strengthen his team’s spirit on the pitch and multiply his side's chances in attack. Lee Dong-Gook will create the perfect bond upfront should he shake off his injury worries and get into the game.
Lee Dong-Gook experienced a return to form last season with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, his new club. The former Middlesbrough and Werder Bremen front man scored 21 goals in the K-league, helping his side to claim the competition’s title as he emerged as the top scorer. About the 32-year-old striker, Coach Huh Jung-Moo revealed to the-afc.com:
“Lee has improved a lot. He may even get a little playing time during Group B’s opening match between Korea Republic and Greece.”
Greece’s Pirate Ship Hit By Bad News
Christos Patsatzoglou and Giourkas Seitaridis made the cut into Otto Rehhagel’s 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup after overcoming their respective injuries. However, there are doubts over their inclusion in Greece’s lineup for the game against Korea Republic this weekend. Both players lack of match fitness as a result of their irregular first team appearances in club football.
Consequently, Coach Otto Rehhagel may have to look at other options for his starting XI sheet ahead of Greece’s 2010 World Cup opener against Greece. Adding to this concern is the confirmed exclusion of key defender Vangelis Moras from Saturday’s clash. Subsequent to an injury he sustained during training earlier in June, Moras was expected to recover in time to play for his country on June 12.
This couldn’t happen though, and Vangelis Moras commentated on his own status, stating:
“I am not ready. There’s no need to take a risk. It would be too risky to do that [play] in such a crucial match. I will now try to get fit for the second game against Nigeria.”
Greece will come up against Africa’s Super Eagles at 14:00 GMT on June 17 whereas South Korea will play against Argentina earlier at 11:30 GMT on the same day.
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Korea Republic vs Greece Match Report
Korea Republic vs Greece, First Half: Go Korea!The Greeks commenced the game with strength on the offensive – Giorgio Samaras making good progress down the left hand side of the field. However, they couldn’t take advantage of their possession in the opening minutes of the match.
They let the South Koreans stun them after only 7 minutes gone down the clock. From a free-kick taken near the end line on the left, Jung-Soo Lee executed a great tap in to leave goalkeeper Papadopoulos upset. 1-0 to the Koreans. With this goal, the Tigers of Asia became the first team in the 2010 World Cup competition to score in the first half of a match.
The game continued to offer more entertainment as the Greeks implied more power upfront. However, South Korea’s shot stopper was also up to his task at every occasion.
The South Koreans terrorized Greece with their pace and intelligence on the counter attack. There was a clean call for a penalty at a point in the first period and another controversial moment inside the 23rd minute. Play maker and captain Ji Sung Park was on the verge of doubling his side’s lead when the referee wrongly whistled for a free-kick against the Asians.
Four minutes later, the chance was wider opened. Chu-Young Park was put through on goal with two Greek defenders applying a lot of pressure behind him. Their goalkeeper ultimately produced a tantalizing save to prevent his side from losing 2-0 at that moment.
Shockingly, Greece’s Gekas almost connected with a fine long ball but South Korea’s keeper grabbed it to keep his team in the lead.
The Tigers of Asia went into the dressing rooms being 1-0 up after 45 minutes. Coach Huh Jung-Moo looked eager to complete the match on a good note. That’s just what happened at the end of proceedings.
Korea Republic vs Greece, Second Half: The Asians Get Their Job Done
Park Ji-Sung lighted up the second half with a trademark run and a exquisite goal to punish Greece’s unforgivable defensive mistake. At 2-0, there was a feeling that the South Koreans would run away with all three points – the first three points of the 2010 World Cup.
Chu-Young Park missed a glorious chance from an unmarked position to make it 3-0. His header flew over the bar, and the score line remained 2-0.
Substitute Salpingidis tried to reduce Greece’s deficit with a header which got easily caught by Korea’s keeper. Seconds later, another substitute, this time Kapetanos, made an awful shot as he blasted a good opportunity to make it 2-1 and thus finish his team mates’ great move towards the 18-yard box.
With 20 minutes left on the clock, Greece started to find ways past the Korea Republic’s defense. Gekas almost made a perfect striker inside the 80 minutes. However, his rocket got outstandingly tipped over the bar by South Korea’s keeper.
As the Greeks went forward, they also struggled to prevent the Tigers of Asia to do what they do best: to challenge on the counter attack.
At the 85th minute, Chu-Yong Lee fired a shot hard and low which Greece’s goalkeeper punched away for a corner. This was in fact the last genuine attempt on goal and the match ended 2-0 in favor of the Koreans.
Ahead of Argentina’s game against Nigeria, the Korea Republic top Group B. They have 3 points and a (+2) goal difference. The Greeks find themselves bottom of the table. Which team between Argentina and Nigeria will join the Koreans at the top of Group B.
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