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It took 48 years, six appearances and numerous coaches ending with the current, Guus Hiddink, for Korea to meet at least one of its goals, a win in the World Cup finals; and they did it in style with a goal either half to beat Poland 2:0 in front of an overwhelming sea of red in Busan, Tuesday night. However, it did come after a shaky start, which gave supporters a few heart stopping moments.
The Polish team took the initiative in the opening minutes with Emannuel Olisadebe putting Jacek Krznyowek through right after kick off only to see his fellow striker shoot wide. As the Poles continued to press with their Nigerian born point man looking increasing dangerous, Korea's defense seem to have succumbed to the nerves of the event and looked decidedly shaky.
However as the half progressred the Koreans settled down and the game settled into an even tempo with both sides feeling each other out. Seol Ki-hyeon fired a shot on goal in the 10th minute as Korea slowly started to press Poland's defense, gaining more and more of the possession upront.
The pressure paid off in the 26th minute with Korea taking the lead from a brilliantly struck goal by Hwang Sun-hong. Lee Eul-yong broke down the left wing and centered in low to Hwang, free in the box who shot it past Jerzy Dudek with a one touch scorcher that left the goalkeeper no chance.
With Team Korea sensing blood, it was Poland's turn to look shaky in defense, and the Koreans had the ball in the net again in the 37th minute only to have it ruled offside. While Poland fought to come back into the match, Korea tightened up their defense and strung well-worked moves together, looking for number two as they began to dominate the midfield. The half ended after one minute of injury time 1:0 to Team Korea.
The second half took up where the first left off with Korea pressing Poland from the start, with Dudek tipping a volley from Park Ji-song over the bar, five minutes into play. A minute later Coach Guus Hiddink substituted Ahn Jung-hwan for Hwang Seon-hong, to strengthen his front line.
The substitution seemed to work as Korea stepped up the pressure one more notch and were rewarded just three minutes later when Yoo Sang-chul tripped the ball of a Polish defender and blasted home from outside the area to Dudeks right making it 2:0. They then had to put up with some withering pressure from a Poland, desperate to get back into the match, and resorting to fouls out of frustration.
However the Korean team withstood the offensive, and mounting their own attacks held on for their first World Cup win in six appearances at the global football gala over 48 years.
(Chris Price, chris@chosun.com )
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