Korea’s 2-2 tie with Nigeria on Tuesday—coupled with Argentina’s 2-0 thumping of Greece—propelled the Red Devils into the knockout round of the World Cup for the first time on foreign soul. Korea, with four points, advances to the next round along with group leader Argentina, which swept through group play with three wins.
Tuesday’s match was an up and down affair from the outset. The Super Eagles struck first, when Kalu Uche capitalized on a Cha Du-Ri defensive lapse to punch in a cross to put the Nigerians up 1-0. At that point, it felt much like a 2006 redux, when Korea beat Togo and drew with France before being blanked 2-0 by Switzerland to be denied the second round. To make matters worse, Nigeria nearly doubled their lead in the 36th minute when a Uche blast beat goalkeeper Jung Song-Ryong, only to bounce off the left post.
Two minutes later, though, Korea—dressed in their white uniforms and blue shorts—equalized off of a set piece, as Lee Jung-Soo volleyed in a free kick from Ki Sung-Yeung to level the match. Korea scored off of a set piece once again just four minutes after the interval, when striker Park Chu-Young—making amends for his own-goal against Argentina—snuck the ball around Nigeria’s wall and into the right corner of the net on a spectacular free kick from 26 meters.
Nigeria squandered a number of chances to equalize, most notably when Yakubu Aiyegbeni missed left on what should have been an easy tap-in into an empty net in the 66th minute. He made amends just three minutes later when Nigeria was awarded a penalty kick for a Kim Nam-Il trip in the box. Aiyegbeni slammed home the freebee to knot the match at 2-2, setting up a nerve-racking conclusion. Fortunately, Korea received a huge boost from Argentina, which scored two goals in the last fifteen minutes of their match to finish Greece—effectively ensuring that Korea would advance as long as it stayed square with Nigeria. On the other hand, it also meant that Nigeria would themselves advance with a decisive goal and a victory.
They nearly got it.
The Super Eagles came dangerously close to going ahead several times before the final stoppage. But in the end, Korea was able to escape with the draw–a result they should be thrilled with given their shaky defensive effort on this night. At the final whistle, the Korean players—in a mixture of relief and euphoria–fell to their knees on the pitch, no doubt mindful of the immensity of what they had just accomplished.
Up next for the Tigers of Asia? Uruguay in the second round on Saturday, with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals. But as any soccer fan knows, it’s now anyone’s game, as anything can happen in the knockout round.
Here’s hoping for a little bit more history-making from this 2010 squad. Dae Han Min Guk!
-TBY
Photo Credit: AP
