South Korea vs Greece – Match Review
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South Korea has become the first team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup to win a match when it comprehensively despatched Greece, 2-0, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
Goals in either half by Lee Jung Soo and Park Ji Sung killed off a Greek side that appeared to be bereft of options up front despite playing with a three-man forward line.
The Koreans started brightly winning a free kick in a dangerous position when Park Ji Sung delivered an in-swinging ball that Lee Jung Soo volleyed unmarked at the far post.
In comparison, Greece began this match in poor fashion appearing lethargic, failing to complete many passes and looking all at sea at the back.
In the 25th minute, Park Chu Young demonstrated his side’s characteristics of pace and creativity in making a smart run, which allowed him to beat Loukas Vyntra.
However, the South Korean could only force a smart save from Alexandros Tzorvas when finding himself one-on-one with the besieged Greek goalkeeper.
The second half produced more of the same, with the Greeks beginning in sluggishly; Vyntra, receiving the ball just ahead of his defensive area, turned blindly, with his resultant first touch only giving up the ball to Manchester United winger, Park Ji Sung.
The Korean captain didn’t need a second invitation. He sprinted viciously beyond the challenge of Avraam Papadopoulos before gently dissecting his shot between Vyntra and Tzorvas to give the Asian juggernaut a comfortable 2-0 cushion early in the second-half.
South Korea took control weathering Greece’s raids up-field and counter-attacking when the break was on.
However, Greece, looking despondent, began taking responsibility for its poor performance with a number of attacks forward, which brought the dangerous Theofanis Gekas into the game as the Koreans began to tire.
Indeed, it was Gekas who had the greatest chance for the Europeans, but his snap shot was hit straight at Korean ’keeper, Jung Sung Ryong, who simply parried Gekas’ shot over the bar.
South Korea decided after that to proverbially ‘park the bus’ by bringing on its defensive stand-ins, who ultimately preserved its 2-0 lead.
Greece will now look to pick up its first points in a FIFA World Cup when it next vies with Nigeria on Friday 18 June at Manguang stadium in Bloemfontein.
Meanwhile, South Korea, winning its first FIFA World Cup match by at least two goals, faces Argentina next on Thursday June 17 at the Johannesburg Soccer City stadium.
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