The Daejeon game held against the European powerhouse started in Korea's favor, but Ahn's penalty kick, which was too soft to get past goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Following the first misfortune, Ahn continued to menace, but fruit, failed to utilize few chances.

Ahn made the day when midfielder Lee Young-pyo directed the ball to him at the 116 minute-mark, which he headed in to goal to seal the game, his second header in this year's World Cup. As Ahn decided the team’s historical advance to the quarterfinal round, the peninsula was covered with red waves and cheers.

Brought up by his mother, Ahn says soccer was his only friend growing up. He started to play at Daerim Elementary School, and made the 1994 Youth National Team and 1997 East Asian Team. With smart shooting and dribbling, Ahn was selected as the 1999 MVP in the pro-league, and has been one of the most popular soccer stars since the late 90’s.

Ahn was also the first Korean to play in Italy's Serie A, one of the most competitive professional leagues in Europe in July, 2000. When Guus Hiddink came to lead Korean squad, Ahn, who wasn't a very physical player, was not the head coach's favorite at first. However, two years in Italy transformed the formerly individualistic Ahn into a team player.

After the fantastic chip shot in the game against Scotland in April, Ahn has been the most trusted Hiddink man, and he proved he is worth his popularity every bit by the golden goal that moved Team Korea to the quarterfinals.

(Lee Taek-jin, tjlee@chosun.com )