South Korea Tie US in Clash of Giant-killers

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, June 10, 2002

South Korea Tie US in Clash of Giant-killers

Lifted by a loud, emotional crowd, South Korea earned a 1-1 draw with the United States through Ann Jung-hwan's 78th minute goal in World Cup GroupD on Monday.

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South Korea Draw US 1-1

Lifted by a loud, emotional crowd, South Korea earned a 1-1 draw with the United States through Ann Jung-hwan's 78th minute goal in World Cup GroupD on Monday.

South Korea, who like Japan have opened the eyes of fans unaware of Asia's growing soccer prowess, routed Poland 2-0 in their opening game, while the United States snatched one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history by beating Portugal 3-2.

The two teams now have four points apiece. Portugal and Poland will clash Monday evening.

Cheered on by an electrified crowd who turned the swaths of stands red by donning South Korea jerseys, second-half substitute Ann Jung-hwan headed a free kick into the left upper corner for the equalizer.

Ann celebrated his goal by mimicking the movement of South Korean Olympic speedskater Kim Dong-sung, who was robbed of his gold medal in the Salt Lake Winter Olympics.

South Koreans were outraged in February after short track speedskater Kim was disqualified from an Olympic gold medal in the1,500m final after it was ruled he had blocked the path of American Apolo Anton Ohno, who was awarded the gold.

The enraged South Koreans flooded the U.S. Olympic Committee's website, forcing it to crash.

New Jersey MetroStars striker Clint Mathis, who sports a mohawkhairstyle, had put the United States in lead at the 24th minute when he latched onto a long pass from midfield and fired it over South Korea keeper Lee Woon-jae.

At the 39th minute, Jeff Agoos pushed down South Korean forwardHwang Sun-hong in the penalty box. U.S. keeper Brad Friedel dove right to palm out Lee Eul-yong's spot kick, the first penalty shotdenied by goalkeeper in the tournament.

Chui Yong-soo wasted a golden chance to beat the Americans as he slotted a Lee-Eu-yong pinpoint pass over the cross bar from a close range in the 88th minute.

South Korea opened aggressively but failed to turn chances to goals in the first half.

Six minutes into action, Hwang Sun-hong sent a well-timed pass to the unmarked Seol Ki-hyeon, who booted the ball over the cross bar.

At the 18th minute, Seol Ki-hyeon surged deep into U.S. territory after connecting a pass but his angled shot was palmed out by Friedel.

At the 22nd minute, Hwang Sun-hong got a bloody cut to his forehead as he clashed with Frankie Hejduk.

Two minutes after the break, Seol Ki-hyeon rounded an American defender to face Friedel alone, but his shot was blocked by the keeper.

At the 50th minute, substitute Choi Yong-soo, on his first touch of the ball, found his shot blocked by Friedel.

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