|
When Hong Myeong-bo scored that final shot, it was a miracle for the Republic of Korea. It was bound to happen when Lee Woon-jae successfully blocked the fourth round in the shootout, and the goddess of victory had her hands on Hong's right foot. This is how after a 120 minute fight, there was a glorious new writing of the history of world football.
The territory of the Republic of Korea sank the European Invincible Armada, and the night turned into a party of fireworks. Every street was full of joy, cars honked and fireworks shot up high in the skies. We have finally become a true football powerhouse that has both passion and control. We won with moves that cannot be contested, and now advance forward as one of the four of the world's best.
Everyone hugged each other the day we won. We wept with joy at having finally done it and a feeling great accomplishment. Just as has been conveyed by foreign news services, it has been a whirlwind of change in global football, worthy of admiration, and we ourselves are just as surprised.
For 47 million Koreans this was the first time anyone had seen anything like this, and everyone shouted at being moved by the beauty of it all. People all across the country stood and solemnly sang the national anthem. When has it ever been like this?
Strictly speaking, however, this was not a miracle. The players on the field, the players on the bench, and the whole coaching staff showed the world a new kind of football, Korean style. The world has been covered by a tidal wave of red. Having repeatedly beaten FIFA's top ranked teams one after another, our team members should be, as coach Guus Hiddink says, "proud of overcoming our limitations." Now we move on to the semifinals to realize an even greater dream, on Tuesday, against Germany.
As of today we've no resentment for problems past, and throw aside the excuses of the losing years. For the past half a century we've taken great pride in the miracle of economic development and for having achieved democracy, but when it came to certain areas we've all to often let our own sense of inferiority produce, convinced that when it comes to some things we just can't win, and we throw that all aside, too. Now as we stand at the threshold of the 21st century, we are filled with the confidence that nothing is impossible.
The accomplishment of "Korea power" having made it to the semifinals will bear fruit in the form of Korean name recognition in international politics, economics and culture. This is a new morning, one that brought unprecedented victory to the Republic of Korea with inspiration and glory.
June 23, 2002
|
