Thousands Gather to Cheer Korean Footballers in Driving Rain

Thousands of football fans gathered in Seoul's Gwanghwamun Plaza despite freezing rain to cheer for Korea in its second World Cup match against Ghana on Monday.

Some 3,000 fans gave their all but watched in dismay when Korea lost 3-2 in the tight match in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

The crowd was much smaller than the 15,000 people on the balmy night of Korea's first match last Thursday against Uruguay, but their enthusiasm was if anything greater because Korea needed a win to advance to the next stage.

It was touch and go. Korea controlled the match in the beginning but allowed two consecutive goals to the African country in the 24th and 34th minutes. Though Korea failed to score in the first half, fans kept cheering with all their might.

In the second half, striker Cho Gue-sung's two stunning headers in the 58th and 61st minutes leveled the match, causing fans to shout with joy.

But Ghana added another goal in the 68th minute, and although fans hoped that Korea could still tie or flip the match, Korea failed to score another goal.

A college student said he was moved by Korean footballers' fighting spirit and had no regrets about braving the weather.

To prevent any accidents during the gathering, around 900 police officers were deployed at the site.

Fans will gather in Gwanghwamun Plaza again on Friday to cheer for Korea in its third World Cup match against Portugal.