Korean Soccer Shot up `Hope`, But Without Any Problem?

After being substituted in the second half, Hwang Sun-Hong (Japan, Kashiwa Reysol) scored two consecutive goals, which washed away soccer fans’ long-lived thirst. The scene was so thrilling that the spectators kept saying, “Wow…!”.

However, the Korean team missed too many chances after all. Cha Doo-Ri (Korea Univ.), Ahn Jung-Hwan (Italy, Perugia), and Lee Young-Pyo (Anyang LG) kept letting off shots that missed the goal posts at decisive chances.

Sul Gi-Hyun (Belgium, Anderlecht) displayed heavy movements without catching solid opportunities. The match reminded the words of `goal decisiveness` despite two goals. World Cup is just too rough to be relied upon a single 34 year-old `veteran killer`.

Starting with Ahn Jung-Hwan, Yoon Jung-Hwan (Japan, Cerezo Osaka) took up the offensive midfielder’s position from the mid-second half. They seemed to satisfy coach Hiddink’s concern for the position, in comparison with former playmakers like Song Jong-Kuk (Pusan Icons), Lee Chun-Su (Ulsan Hyundai), and Choi Tae-Wook (Anyang LG).

Using their specialties to the full extent, Ahn Jung-Hwan led the offense with active and wide movements, and Yoon Jung-Hwan, who was substituted in the second half, made several sharp passes to satisfy the coaching staff. He proved himself to be domestically No.1 man in `forward-passing`.

However, the two players only seemed `half successful` in the eyes of coach Hiddink. He said, “The offense was quite satisfactory, but the defense still needs to be worked on.”

He also added after the match with Finland, “20 minutes before the final whistle, Korea overwhelmed Finland in stamina. We are now seeing the fruits of the physical training.” Analysts, however, said that his words lack an objective view. Disregarding that half of the Finnish players arrived in La Manga a day before the match, Finland only substituted 1 player, while Korea changed 5. It still might be too early to mention the fruits of the physical training.

On the other side, the fact that the Korean team was able to lead the game against a European team and tie up the enemy’s attack in the defense line earned itself a `passing grade`. Hopeful analysis points out that the team’s organization has become firmer.

Sung-Won Joo swon@donga.com