Korea beats China, takes 3rd at Asia Cup

With the winning goal by Lee Dong-Guk, the "Lion King," the Korean team pulled out a face-saving victory at the least.

At the 12th Asian Cup held in Beirut, Lebanon, the Korean team beat China on Sunday with a score of 1-0 and took third place in the games.

The win over China continues Korea's no-loss streak against China with 15 wins and 8 ties in previous match ups.

About 31 minutes into the second half, the Korean team, which missed many opportunities to score, sent in Kang Chul as a replacement for Park Jin-Sub. Near China's goal post, Kang Chul passed the ball toward the left within the penalty kick area to the rushing Korean player, Lee Dong-Guk, whose inside right-footed kick sent the ball into the net for the decisive score.

However, during the game, while the Korean team had greater control of the ball and the game, the lack of ability to score was clearly revealed as the result of rough distance passes to the offensive line from the backfield without the connecting midfield pass, leading to frequent interceptions by the Chinese team.

About 22 minutes into the first half, a curve kicked by Lee Dong-Guk within the penalty kick area and left of the goal post barely missed the net. Then, the two attempts at heading by Lee Dong-Guk and Noh Jung-Yoon following centering kicks at 32 minutes and 34 minutes into the game, resulting in the ball brushing over the crossbar.

Five minutes into the second half, Yoo Sang-Chul who replaced Sul Ki-Hyun missed yet another opportunity for a goal. Yoo, in control of the ball following a short pass by Lee Dong-Guk, faced an empty goal post with the goalkeeper out of position. The light kick by Yoo missed the net as the ball rolled slightly to the side of the goal post.

Nine minutes into the second half, a free-kick by Yoo Sang-Chul within the goal-keeper's arc was blocked by the goal-keeper.

The Chinese team missed its single opportunity for a score after a corner-kick play was blocked by Lee Woon-Jae.

Bae Keuk-In bae2150@donga.com