Men`s Olympic soccer team edges China, 1-0, in Ulsan

When Kim Dong-sub (Gwangju FC) scored in the 13th minute, Kim Gwi-hyun (Velez Sarsfield) embraced Lee Yong-jae (Nantes).

Kim Gwi-hyun got the ball in the center of the midfield and though not credited with an assist, passed it to Lee, who sent the ball in the right side of the penalty area to Jeong Dong-ho (Gainare Tottori). Jeong passed the ball to Kim Dong-sub, who then put the ball past the goalie.

Kim Gwi-hyun is considered to have started the flow of play that led to the goal.

The Korean men`s Olympic soccer team edged China, 1-0, in the southern port city of Ulsan Sunday. The game was an indelible memory for Kim Gwi-hyun, who plays professionally in Argentina`s second-division league, because he finally got to play in front of his father, who is suffering from lung disease.

His father cannot breathe without a respirator and has to stay home. Both of Kim Gwi-hyun`s parents are also hearing impaired.

With the help of the Korea Football Association, his father went to the stadium with some 50 neighbors in Shinan County, South Jeolla Province, and watched his son play in a bed at the safety control room of the stadium.

Probably because of this pressure, Kim Gwi-hyun’s play was not smooth. He seemed to play hard but made many mistakes.

Armando Martinez, the coach who brought him to Argentina in 2004, said, “He wanted too much. He could have done only his part. He made many mistakes as he wanted to assist others.”

In the second half, Kim Gwi-hyun was replaced due to muscle cramps. “I enjoyed the game because I played before my hometown neighbors. I was so happy because I played as a national team player,” he said.

Olympic team coach Hong Myung-bo said, “Though he`s not accustomed to our team`s play, he has outstanding technique as well as strong passion and fighting spirit.”

Kim Dong-sub`s goal continued Korea`s Olympic winning streak against China as the Taegeuk Warriors have won eight, lost none and drawn once against the Chinese since a 3-1 win in the pre-Olympic qualifying round in Malaysia before the Barcelona Summer Olympics on Jan. 30, 1992.

Critics, however, say Korea must improve its scoring capacity since it scored just once despite dominating the game.

yjongk@donga.com