South Korea Eliminated from World Cup

With their 2-0 loss to the Swiss today combined with France's 2-0 win over Togo, South Korea was eliminated from the 2006 World Cup tournament.

Watching the game, I'd have to say that the Koreans played very evenly with the Swiss, but the breaks just did not go their way. And the officiating was very questionable as well. An obvious handball in the Swiss goal box was not called in the first half which would have led to a Korean penalty kick. Then in the 2nd half, the sideline referee clearly raised his flag signaling offsides on the Swiss so the Koreans stopped play but the head referee did not see the flag raised and allowed play to continue leading to an easy goal for the Swiss. This goal should not have counted but it stood. Other than the nice Swiss goal headed in by Senderos, the two teams were very even.

Perhaps Korean coach Dick Advocaat made a crucial mistake in starting 20 year old striker Park Chu Yeong in such an important match. He was making his first World Cup appearance in a very critical game and his inexperience clearly showed as he continued to lose balls to the defensive minded Swiss. And his foul in the first half led to the Swiss free kick on which they scored. I'd have to question putting in such a young player in that situation. He was subbed out in the 2nd half, but by then it was too late.

All in all, I'm proud of the Korean team. They proved that they can win outside of their home country by beating Togo and they tied a Top 10 French team. They played gutsy and never gave up. I was especially impressed with Lee Cheon Soo and Jo Jae Jin. Our defense however will really need to improve in the next 4 years. I'm already looking forward to 2010!

Daehanmingook! Clap! Clap! - Clap! Clap! Clap! FIGHTING!!!