South Korea fire past Greeks

Lee Jung-Soo slots home unmarked as South Korea register a 2-0 win [GALLO/GETTY]

South Korea secured a deserved 2-0 victory against Greece to give them a ral chance of achieving their ambition of a last-16 berth.

Semi-finalists when they co-hosted the competition with Japan in 2002, the Koreans were too quick and too smart for Otto Rehhagel’s Euro 2004 champions, who were sent packing by goals from Lee Jung Soo and captain and Manchester United midfielder Park Ji Sung.

The Manchester United star said: “This was my third World Cup goal and it makes me very honoured but ultimately it’s down to the team winning.

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“We had a good result today, and as this is the first World Cup in Africa I’m thrilled.”

Coach Huh Jung-Moo added: “The first game is always difficult, my team played well, we prepared thoroughly.

“Our main strategy was looking at Greece’s set pieces.

“If we had been a little calmer we could have perhaps scored more goals.”

Scruff of the neck

The Asian side grabbed this Group B fixture by the scruff of the neck as early as the seventh minute when Celtic’s Ki Sung Yueng’s freekick from beside the left corner flag skimmed over the heads of the Greek defence for Lee to volley in at the far post.

Understandably Rehhagel did not look the happiest person among the crowd at the three-quarter full 42,000-capacity Nelson Mandela
Bay stadium in this Eastern Cape port.

The Koreans proceeded to run rings round the Greeks and were close to a second goal in the 27th minute after Park Ji Sung’s superb through ball found Park Chu Young only for the Monaco striker’s shot to be deflected over the crossbar by keeper Alexandros Tzorvas.

Rehhagel made one switch at the break, replacing captain Giorgis Karagounis with defender Christos Patsatzoglou.

Seven minutes later Greece, who have never had the pleasure of celebrating a World Cup goal, fell further behind after a masterful charge by the sparky Park Ji-Sung.

The talismanic Manchester United midfielder beat off defenders Avraam Papadopoulos and Loukas Vyntra to slot the ball deftly past Tzorvas, triggering a flurry of flag waving among the Korean fans.