DURBAN // South Korea made it through to the last 16 of the World Cup after an enthralling Group B game last night. The Koreans came from behind to lead 2-1 before Yakubu equalised from the penalty spot, although the Everton striker must be wondering how he missed an open goal from just four yards that would have given his country a great chance of going through. The evening started with both sides, as well as Greece, capable of reaching the last 16. The Koreans needed to get at least a point while hoping Greece failed to do the same to ensure qualification, but Nigeria knew only a win would be good enough to give themselves a chance.
And they got off to an ideal start when Kalu Uche put them ahead in the 12th minute. Chidi Odiah made a strong run down the right, but his cross towards the far side of goal should have been cleared by Du-ri Cha. Uche had other ideas, however, and got in front of the defender to sidefoot the ball home from 12 yards. Kanu, playing possibly his final game for Nigeria, was involved in many of their best moves going forward, but Uche went closest to increasing their lead. He fired a free-kick just over the bar midway though the first half, and then struck the base of the post with a powerful low drive after cleverly turning his marker on the edge of the penalty area.
But soon afterwards, in the 38th minute, South Korea equalised. Young-pyo Lee was fouled on the left, and when Sung-yong Ki curled in the free-kick, Jung-soo Lee stole in unmarked at the far post to put the ball in with his shin from close range . It was no less than the Koreans deserved for their tidy football, although it took them a while to work out that the best way through Nigeria's defence was on the ground, not in the air against the giant Danny Shittu and Joseph Yobo.
Prompted by Ji-sung Park, Korea started to work their way though with neat one-twos, and were also prepared to shoot from long distance. Young-pyo Lee, who plays for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, had a shot saved from 25 yards at the start of the second half, before Korea took the lead to put themselves within touching distance of the knockout phase. Shittu was penalised for a foul on Chu-young Park 25 yards from goal, and the Monaco striker curled his free-kick perfectly around the defensive wall and in at the far post.
Astonishingly, it was the first goal to be scored at this World Cup directly from a free-kick, in the 35th game, which gives the critics of Adidas's Jabulani ball some fuel to their argument. Few players have managed to get any dip on the ball, but Chu-young Park decided to keep his shot at waist height, and he almost profited from a similar effort five minuets later, with the ball going past the outside of the post this time.
Nigeria now needed at least two goals, and it was only a matter of time before the ageing Kanu was replaced by the pacey Obafemi Martins. Within minutes, Nigeria had a decent chance as Yakubu ran in on goal, but the Koreans cleared their lines. Chu-young Park went close again, sliding on to a cross from the left but his effort was saved high in the air by Vincent Enyeama. Yakubu missed an absolute sitter in the 65th minute, rolling the ball wide of an open goal from barely four yards after Yussuf Ayila's cross beat Jung Song Ryong, the Korea goalkeeper.
But the striker made no mistake from the penalty spot in the 68th minute after Chinedu Obasi was fouled by Kim Nam Il, who had just gone on as a substitute. That made the score 2-2, and with Argentina beating the Greeks 2-0, it was enough to put South Korea through. sports@thenational.ae
