SOUTH KOREA: NATION CELEBRATIONS AS SOUTH KOREA GOES THROUGH TO THE QUARTER FINALS OF THE WORLD CUP

Record ID: 640694

  • Title: SOUTH KOREA: NATION CELEBRATIONS AS SOUTH KOREA GOES THROUGH TO THE QUARTER FINALS OF THE WORLD CUP
  • Date: 18th June 2002
  • Summary: TAEJON (DAEJEON), SOUTH KOREA (JUNE 18, 2002) (REUTERS) FIREWORKS AT TAEJON STADIUM VARIOUS OF KOREAN FANS CHEERING VARIOUS OF ITALIAN FANS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ITALIAN FAN SAYING: " MORE OF ITALIAN FANS SEOUL (JUNE 18) (REUTERS) TENS OF THOUSANDS OF KOREAN FANS CELEBRATING IN SEOUL CITY HALL PLAZA (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) KOREAN FAN SAYING: "It is so, so impressive, touching me to my hear. I am so pleased -- I believe our team can go to the final." MORE OF CELEBRATING IN SUBWAY, ON STREET AND ON VEHICLES Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 3rd July 2002 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: TAEJON (DAEJEON) AND SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
  • Country: South Korea
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA26CO4WLCTTF9TP4JMQPIN84SA
  • Story Text: South Korea transported a first Asian World Cup already overflowing with drama and excitement into another dimension on Tuesday by eliminating three times champions Italy.
    The most unpredictable tournament since the inaugural 1930 Cup in Uruguay took a further twist when the Koreans advanced to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 golden goal win over one of the world's traditional soccer powers. Co-hosts Japan were earlier eliminated when they lost 1-0 to Turkey in driving rain in Miyagi.
    In a tournament of constant surprises, defending champions France and twice winners Argentina have already left early after they were knocked out in the first round.
    Now the Italian aristocrats depart after a golden goal winner from Ahn Jung-hwan in Taejon which electrified a nation already gripped by football fever.
    The South Korean capital Seoul erupted with unrestrained joy after Ahn's winner. Fireworks exploded in the city centre where around 900,000 red-shirted fans had gathered to watch the match on giant television screens.
    "They are one of the superpowers of world football," said South Korea's Dutch coach Guus Hiddink. "I think this is unique."
    South Korea, who failed to win a match in their previous five appearances on the world's biggest stage, are only the second Asian team to qualify for the quarter-finals. North Korea, who have never appeared before or since, made the final eight in 1966.
    The Korean triumph also ensured each of the five FIFA confederations -- Europe, South America, North and Central America, Africa and Asia -- are represented in the quarter-finals for the first time.
    Italy got an early let-off when keeper Gianluigi Buffon saved a fifth-minute penalty from Ahn.
    They appeared to be reasserting the natural order of world football when Vieri headed a simple chance in the 18th minute.
    As the match wore on the crowd of 39,000 began to settle into a glum silence before Seol Ki-hyeon set the match alight when he pounced on a Christian Panucci error to snatch the equaliser.
    Italy disintegrated in extra time when Francesco Totti was sent off for diving and Ahn set the crowd into ecstasy with the winning goal.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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