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Team Korea capped a dream beginning to its World Cup hopes beating Portugal 1:0 in their final match of the preliminary rounds, amidst the deafening noise of the Munhak Stadium in Incheon Friday night. The team achieved the high expectations that its adoring fans had placed on it with the win, which advances them to the second round of 16 teams, and validates coach Guus Hiddinks ignoring of critics to get the team where he wanted using his methods.
Korea got off to a flying start with Lee Young-pyo firing a long-range shot just four minutes into the game. The Koreans controlled much of the possession in the opening minutes, but failed to construct any promising chances. The somewhat scrappy start saw some unnecessary fouls one of which led to the expulsion of Joao Pinto in the 27th minute after a foul on Park Ji-sung just five minutes after being shown a yellow card for a similar rash tackle.
Korea had the ball in the net following a corner in the 31st minute, but Song Chong-gug was deemed to have fouled goalkeeper Vitor Baia in challenging for the ball. The rest of the half played to a stalemate with only Pauletta threatening keeper Lee Woon-jae with a lob in the 36th minute, which sailed comfortably over the bar.
The second half opened with the Korean players taking control of the midfield and passing the ball around waiting for the Portuguese to commit a mistake. However, once more possession belied little chances on goal with Portugal looking at some long-range shots that gave Lee little trouble.
With Portugal becoming a bit more adventurous a midfield battle commenced, again producing unnecessary fouls and once more leading to the expulsion of a Portuguese player. Lee Young-pyo made a break down the left sideline, but was hacked down by Beto, who received his marching orders for a second offense.
Korea's breakthrough came in the 70th minute when a corner ball found Park Ji-sung, which he controlled with his chest as he turned his marker and fired past Baia to give the hosts the lead.
Portugal, knowing they had to win tried desperately to get into the game, but were stymied by the Korean midfielders and solid defense, which sought to wear out the opposition, by taking advantage of their two extra men. One heart stopper for Korean fans came in the 89th minute when Sergio Conceicao blasted a shot against the crossbar, after Korea had squandered several one-on-one chances against Baia, with the Portuguese keeper showing his mettle in advancing on attacking players.
More was to follow as Baia's exhausted defense disintegrated, but he proved his experience by keeping the Koreans to their solitary goal up to the final whistle.
Korea at the top of Group D with seven points now advance to play Italy the runners up from Group G on June 18, while the US benefits from the win, despite losing to Poland, to face Mexico.
(Chris Price, chris@chosun.com )
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