South Korea cruise past Greece

by Nick Royle , 12 June 2010

South Korea got their World Cup Group B campaign to a perfect start, with a 2-0 win over Greece in Port Elizabeth.


Lee-Jung-soo and Park Ji-Sung were on target, as the Asians took all three points at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

South Korea went ahead in the seventh minute when Ki Sung-yong's free kick sailed over the Greek defence and goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas, for an unmarked Lee Jung-soo to tap in at the far post.

Giourkas Seitardis had been penalised for a foul on Lee Young-pyo close to the corner flag, and Celtic star Ki's set piece was perfect for Lee to cushion a close-range volley into the net.

Greece striker Theofanis Gekas wasted a half-chance after being set up by midfielder Alexandros Tziolis, but mostly it was the Koreans who threatened in the first half, with midfielder Kim Jung-woo and striker Park Chu-young breaking away quickly midway through the half, only for Park to fire wide.

Tzorvas then saved from the Monaco man five minutes later, although defender Avraam Papadopoulos put off the 24-year-old with his covering tackle.

Lee and fellow central defender Cho Yong-hyung were impressive against the threat of the Greeks, and with Korea holding a high line, it was little surprise that Huh Jung-moo's team scored a second.

It was a strike of real quality from Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung, with the 29-year-old nicking the ball off Loukas Vyntra 35 yards out before running through on goal and slipping the ball past Tzorvas.

With the ineffectual Giorgios Samaras and Angelos Charisteas replaced before the hour, Greece suddenly looked more interested. Substitute Dimitris Salpingidis had two half-chances, then Gekas forced a good tipover save from South Korea goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong.

Tsorvas then made a fine low save at his near post from Bolton's Lee Chung-Yong on 85 minutes, after Chu-Young had been denied by a late tackle.

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