World Cup Update - Korea and USA both tie - still alive for Round 2
Korea played a great game against FIFA #8 France today, pulling out a tie that felt like a win. Even with its lofty ranking, France has struggled in the World Cup after winning it in 1998. They failed to score a single goal in the entire 2002 Cup and also didn't score in its first 2006 match against Switzerland. That drought finally ended in the 9th minute against Korea when Thierry Henry flicked in a goal past Lee Woong Jae.
In fact, France dominated the first half, skillfully maintaining possession of the ball with crisp passes while Korea didn't even get a single shot off. But then, Korea made a couple of substitutions in the 2nd half, bringing in strikers Seol Ki Hyeon and Ahn Jeong Hwan and it seemed to pick up the pace of their attack. With their newfound aggressiveness, Korea kept the ball on their attack side of the field and then finally scored in the 81st minute. Seol Ki Hyeon delivered a cross from the left side which was headed down by Jo Jae Jin. Park Ji Sung was in the right place at the right time and nudged the ball in off the side of his foot. GOALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Korea pulled off the tie and given the circumstances, it felt like a win. MVP of the match for me was definitely goalkeeper Lee Woon Jae who made several excellent stops including one that should've been a goal for France but was luckily missed by the referees. Korea now leads Group G with 4 points with the Swiss playing Togo tomorrow.
As for the US, everything that could've went right for them did. Ghana pulled off a miraculous upset of the Czech Republic 2-0 which kept the US's hopes alive. Despite piss poor refereeing against the Americans, they pulled off the tie 1-1 against Italy and are still alive. Unfortunately, they will be without midfielder Pablo Mastreoni and defender Eddie Pope against Ghana due to red and yellow cards that were very questionable at best. Now, the US must beat Ghana and hope Italy beats the Czechs to advance because otherwise, they will be forced into a tiebreaker and with their -3 goal difference, their hopes in a tiebreaker are not good.
USA next plays Ghana on Thursday and Korea next plays Switzerland on Friday.
대...한민국! 파이팅!!! 오...필승 코리아!
In fact, France dominated the first half, skillfully maintaining possession of the ball with crisp passes while Korea didn't even get a single shot off. But then, Korea made a couple of substitutions in the 2nd half, bringing in strikers Seol Ki Hyeon and Ahn Jeong Hwan and it seemed to pick up the pace of their attack. With their newfound aggressiveness, Korea kept the ball on their attack side of the field and then finally scored in the 81st minute. Seol Ki Hyeon delivered a cross from the left side which was headed down by Jo Jae Jin. Park Ji Sung was in the right place at the right time and nudged the ball in off the side of his foot. GOALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Korea pulled off the tie and given the circumstances, it felt like a win. MVP of the match for me was definitely goalkeeper Lee Woon Jae who made several excellent stops including one that should've been a goal for France but was luckily missed by the referees. Korea now leads Group G with 4 points with the Swiss playing Togo tomorrow.
As for the US, everything that could've went right for them did. Ghana pulled off a miraculous upset of the Czech Republic 2-0 which kept the US's hopes alive. Despite piss poor refereeing against the Americans, they pulled off the tie 1-1 against Italy and are still alive. Unfortunately, they will be without midfielder Pablo Mastreoni and defender Eddie Pope against Ghana due to red and yellow cards that were very questionable at best. Now, the US must beat Ghana and hope Italy beats the Czechs to advance because otherwise, they will be forced into a tiebreaker and with their -3 goal difference, their hopes in a tiebreaker are not good.
USA next plays Ghana on Thursday and Korea next plays Switzerland on Friday.
대...한민국! 파이팅!!! 오...필승 코리아!
posted by Myong Choi at 4:33 PM
1 Comments:
To state the obvious, really liked Korea's performance this past Sunday; they’re putting on a damn good show. Even Mustberger and that other color commentator suggested that this is the team to watch out for. It's good that they showed the nation of millions-like Korean fans situated around the globe watching that match. Funny, nothing similar was shown regarding French fans. If it’s not already being done, I think mini-TVs should be on the sidelines right before kickoff so’s the team can see the outright nation of millions and millions behind them – in the streets of Seoul, in the major sports venues of L.A.
And, yes, I never thought I'd be saying it about any sport regarding the U.S., but, I simply love that tie, against a power house, no less. Good, now I can continue eating Italian food :) . And how 'bout that ref'. I mean, the ref' involved in that match has had, ABC's commentators noted, an inconsistent past, let's say, in his umpiring, getting to the point of not being able to act in such official capacity for the 2002 World Cup.
In any case, I agree that it's an uphill climb for the U.S. team. Say, all goes well in this group -- Italy wins their upcoming match, U.S. beats Ghana. Who would the U.S. play next? Brazil? Are there any stairclimbers at Ramstein -- cardio'g. on that instead of running'd. provide a terrific metaphor regarding their upcoming matches.
In any case -- there is no slowing down with this World Cup. Looks like Japan's out, Iran, too, a few others. I've even taken off a few days so's I can watch the early matches and not worry 'bout sleep and work and all. Ah, summer. And World Cup.
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