 Portugal were eliminated after suffering defeat
to Korea Republic at Incheon Munhak
Stadium in Korea. The USA, despite losing
to Poland, will advance to the second
round to play Mexico, while Korea will
face Italy.
Portugal put themselves in a tough spot
after Joao Pinto and Beto each were
sent off. The only goal of the match
came in the second half from Park Ji
Sung. Portugal tried everything they
could and pushed until the last minute,
Korea never broke and came close to
extending the lead late in the match,
in a see of red that went wild when
the final whistle blew.
Korea began by putting
pressure on the Portuguese, spurred
on by their sea of supporters, and
the Europeans seemed ill at ease with
the speed of the co-hosts. But, as
the pace of the match settled, Portugal
began to assert themselves more, though
it was still relatively even.
Despite the fact that
there were no significant chances
to speak of early on, there was drama
when Joao Pinto was sent off for a
nasty two-footed tackle on Ji Sung
Park in the middle of the pitch (27’).
The incident seemed
to inspire both sides, and the Koreans
had the ball in the net almost immediately.
However, Jin Cheul Choi made contact
with goalkeeper Vitor Baia just before
the move, and the referee waived the
score off (31’).
Pauleta had the first
chance for the Portuguese when the
ball was sent into his path on the
break. However, the hat-trick hero
from the match before tried to lob
the on-rushing goalkeeper but was
unable to keep it on target (35’).
Seol Ki Hyeon flashed
into the Portuguese box to get the
second half off to a livelier start,
but his header from a free-kick flew
just past the right post (47’).
They got another header
that seemed on target almost immediately,
but Yoo Sang Chul had his ball deflected
out for a corner, which came to nothing
(50’).
Kim Nam II had another
chance, but his left-footer from 18
yards flashed across the face of goal
and past the same right post (54’).
Portugal got a tremendous
effort from Pauleta when the striker
dove away from goal and managed to
get his head to a corner. It looked
like it might sneak over Korea goalkeeper
Lee Woon Jae, but he managed to bat
it away (62’).
The Portuguese suffered
another blow when defender Beto received
his second yellow for a mistimed tackle
and was sent his marching orders by
the referee (66’).
Korea finally opened
their account against nine-man Portugal
when Park Ji Sung trapped the ball
on his chest, beat Sergio Conceicao
with a flick and then volleyed a left-foot
shot through the legs of Baia (0 :
1, 70’). It was a tremendous
finish.
Facing elimination,
Portugal tried to push forward for
an equaliser, but down two players
they were unable to put on much pressure.
Luis Figo’s free-kick curled
agonizingly close to the post with
the goalkeeper beaten (75’).
Portugal however were
shocked twice in the final minutes.
First, Nuno Gomes was sprung free
on the goalkeeper but failed to make
contact with his shot from six metres
out (85’). Then Sergio Conceicao’s
shot was deflected off the inside
of the Korean post with the goalkeeper
beaten (89’).
Conceicao’s bullet
from 10 metres out in the dying seconds
was parried away by the goalkeeper,
but Portugal could get nobody to the
corner (93’) as their hopes
ended.
Portugal
Vitor Baia, Jorge Costa, Fernando Couto (capt), Luis Figo, Joao Pinto, Pauleta, Paulo Bento, Sergio Conceicao, Petit, Beto, Rui Jorge.
South Korea: Lee Woon-Jae, Choi Jin-Cheul, Kim Nam-il, Yoo Sang-Chul, Kim Tae-Young, Seol Ki-Hyeon, Lee Young-Pyo, Ahn Jung-Hwan, Hong Myung-Bo (capt), Park Ji-Sung, Song Chong-Gug.
Goals: Park Ji-Sung 70.
Attendance: 50,239.
Referee: Angel Sanchez (Arg).
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