And the world was surprise at Korea's achievement. The Busan Asiade Stadium was hotter than a furnace, and in Seoul's Gwanghwamun and locations around the country, you could feel the excitement. China lost and Japan tied, making us the only Asian country able to secure an opportunity to make it to the second round. Is this a dream or is this reality? The whole country was in a festive uproar.

Hiddink's training and tactics were magic. You heart almost stopped watching this country of ours, so unable to score anything in 48 years since our first World Cup appearance, and he made our dream come true. The Taegeuk Warriors kept their cool as they surmounted the obstacle posed by a European team, and demonstrated talent that is second to no one. They met the Polish team, well ahead of us in terms of ranking and physical strength, and fought back with determined attacks.

It was a worthy victory, the combined result of hard work on the part of team members and encouragement by the Korean people. When have we tasted this so refreshing delight? When have we enjoyed this so great a feeling of victory? The victory was achieved by the Taegeuk Warriors, but it was possible because of the consistent support of the Red Devils and the encouragement that shook Gwanghwamun and made the whole country loose its voice. This made it all the more a delightful victory to be valued.

We have only won one victory, but our chances of making the second reound have improved immensely. Let's keep the excitement alive and win victories against the US and Portugal. Let's rewrite football history and show the world what we Koreans are made of. June 5, 2002