Sudden Death for Italy, South Korea into Quarters

Home>>Sports

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, June 19, 2002

Sudden Death for Italy, South Korea into Quarters

South Korea beat three-time champions Italy 2-1 on Tuesday thanks to the 117th minute golden goal by Ahn Jung Hwan, pulling out the biggest upset in World Cup finals history.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Italy Defeated by South Korea

South Korea beat three-time champions Italy 2-1 on Tuesday thanks to the 117th minute golden goal by Ahn Jung Hwan, pulling out the biggest upset in World Cup finals history.

Ahn outjumped Italian veteran defender Paolo Maldini, heading home a center cross by Lee Young Pyo.

For Italy, it was a repeat of the dramatic loss to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the 1966 World Cup, which remains one of the event's biggest upsets.

South Korea made it 1-1 in the 88th minute, taking the second round game into extra time.

Seol Ki Hyeon dashed in to find the net after Christian Panucci failed to make a goalmouth clearance.

One minute later, Italian striker Christian missed a sure shot, hitting a cross from the left over the bar when he was unmarked and just two meters away from the goal.

Vieri had opened for Italy in the 18th minute. The Inter Milan striker scored his fourth goal of this tournament - ninth of the finals - as he rose high to head Francesco Totti's corner kick into the net despite a tug at his shirt by South Korean Choi Jin Cheul.

Vieri ran for the dugouts with his right forefinger to his lips, gesturing to the raucous crowd, who turned the swaths of stands red by donning South Korea jerseys, that the Italians were going to silence their critics.

It was the 1,900th goal scored since the first World Cup was held 72 long years ago in Uruguay. Vieri also tied the Italian record for most goals in the World Cup finals.

Roberto Baggio and Paolo Rossi also have nine World Cup finals goals.

To distinguish from his predecessors, the 28-year-old tied the mark in only his ninth World Cup match. Baggio scored his nine goals in 16 matches over three World Cups from 1990-98. Rossi did it in 15 matches in two World Cups in 1978 and '82.

At the 5th minute, Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon saved a spot kick by Ahn Jung Hwan after Francesco Coco pushed down Yoo Sang Chul and Christian Panucci pulled down another South Korean player in the penalty area when a crowd jostled for a free kick.

The Juventus keeper dived to his right to hit out Ahn's low shot, the second missed penalty by the co-hosts after U.S. keeper Brad Friedel denied Lee Eul-yong's spot kick in a group game.

Ahn, hugely popular with South Korean women because of his movie-star good looks, then struck an angled shot wide of the goal after dazzling footwork in the penalty area.

At the 37th minute, Damiano Tommassi forced a brilliant save from South Korean keeper Lee Woon Jae when he struck from five meters. Lee fisted out Tommassi's shot and Choi Jin Cheul was quick enough to clear the threat.

Coco saw blood at the 42nd minute when Yoo Sang Chul elbowed his forehead while jumping high to connect a pass. The Barcelona defender sagged to the ground with blood all over his face.

Alessandro Del Piero, who fired a late equalizer against Mexico to lift the Italians into the second round, blasted a shot from a close range which slammed at a South Korean defender standing at the near post.

At the 65th minute, Ahn wasted another chance when he hesitated after dribbling into the area and was dispossessed by Coco who wore a surgical scull cap.

At the 73rd minute, Vieri surged into the area but hit wide of the right post while facing the South Korean keeper alone.

Fourteen minutes into extra time, South Korean substitute Hwang Sun Hong blasted a free kick to the target, which was blocked by Buffon.

At the 105th minute, Italian midfield engine Totti was expelled for a second bookable offense.

At the 115th minute, Hwang Sun Hong headed into the arms of Buffon when three South Koreans faced Italy's last defense.

Questions?Comments? Click here

S. Korea Beats Portugal 1-0, Cruises into World Cup 2nd Round

Mexico Ties 1-1 with Italy, Both into World Cup Last 16

>> Full Coverage

Bill Clinton Has Unexpectedly Become a 'Sweet Cake' ( 15 Messages)

Englishman Hired as Chief Advisor of Yunnan Provincial Government ( 16 Messages)

Two S.Korean Girls Run Over by US Armored Vehicle ( 55 Messages)

Uncle Sam's Policy to Cross-Straits Ties against Its Own Interests ( 5 Messages)

Home-made Auto Sales Head for 3 Million in 2002 ( 8 Messages)