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South Koreans in Glory Path, Co-Host Japan World Cup Glory Ends
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| Ahn Jung-hwan totally redeemed himself. |
SEOUL,
June 18 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - One second the tears were
running through the flag painted on the cheek of thousands of South
Korean fans, the next “red Devils” equalized and were back on the
way to a stunning World Cup win over Italy. The historical win
extended South Korea’s World Cup glory further, unlike other co-host
Japan’s glory that was killed by a defeat from Turkey earlier
Tuesday.
Thousands
of then disappointed South Korean spectators were starting to make
their way home from central Seoul when Seol Ki-Hyeon equalized two
minutes from the end.
"They
did their best. Even if they lose, I admire them and their fighting
spirit," one spectator said, out of her tears, before staring up
at the electronic screen at Seoul City Hall in disbelief and screaming
for joy, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The
wall of noise erupted again around the country and became an explosion
when Ahn Jung-Hwan scored the golden goal winner.
Hwan,
South Korean football's poster boy with David Beckham popularity, made
millions cry with joy as his side kicked Italy out of the World Cup
2-1.
Ahn,
whose face stares down from the bedroom walls of Korean teenagers,
redeemed himself from missing a first half penalty and two other
gilt-edged chances against Italy in the World Cup second-round
showdown by scoring the golden goal winner for Korea.
It
was the signal for mass celebration at the stadium and throughout the
country with millions kissing his poster in celebration.
The
Italian-based striker's spot kick after just four minutes was saved by
Gianlugi Buffon in the Italian goal.
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They salute their fans. |
Super
striker Christian Viera put Italy ahead with a powerful header from a
corner in the 18th minute before Ahn had a chance to equalize.
He
slipped his marker in the box with a neat back flick but with just
Buffon to beat he hit the ball past the post.
Just
before half time he had a long range effort saved by Buffon and in the
second half hit an effort from the edge of the box over the bar.
The
40,000 crowd, in Daejeon Stadium, tried to console the golden boy by
chanting his name but Ahn's downcast expression at half-time and after
the final whistle at 90 minutes told its own sad story.
It
was only at the final pre-tournament training camp that coach Guus
Hiddink was convinced of Ahn's ability.
Dutchman
Hiddink, who spotted latent talent in several Korean players, included
him in his World Cup squad and Ahn repaid the compliment with interest
by scoring the equalizer against the United States in their second
group match.
Ahn,
who plays in Italy with Perugia, grew even further in the popularity
stakes when he rose to head Korea's only goal of the match.
Meanwhile,
Turkey's 1-0 defeat of Japan in the earlier second-round match gave
South Korean fans even greater fervor at the prospect of doing better
in the tournament than their arch rivals.
Japan’s
defeat was rather sudden, as they did better than Turkey in the
preliminary matches, and snatched the top of their group after beating
Russia 1-0, Tunisia 2-0, while earlier equalized with Belgium 2-2.
Two
thousand fireworks were let off from the roofs of skyscrapers in Seoul
and Daejeon, where the match was played, as hundreds of thousands of
people cried tears of joy, hugged each other and danced.
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| South Korea's coach Guus Hiddink. |
Millions
of fans who crowded city centers across the country joined
celebrations that brought even more people onto the streets than giant
pro-democracy demonstrations in 1987.
National
flags were pushed out of car windows within minutes of the victory.
Even women with babies joined the dancing around the Gwanghwamun,
where three electronic advertising screens had become a magnet for
South Korean fans on match days.
Police
said there were 500,000 people at Gwanghwamun and another 500,000 at
City Hall to watch the dramatic win over Italy.
South
Korea completed the line-up for the World Cup quarter-finals. On
Friday, June 21, Germany will meet the U.S. in Ulsan, South Korea,
then England plays Brazil in Shizuoka, Japan. On Saturday, June 22,
Spain is to clash with South Korea in Gwangju, South Korea, then
African Lions Senegal will play against Turkey in Osaka, Japan.
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