22 June 2002, 14:58 Seoul - Tokyo

SPAIN 0 : 0 KOREA REPUBLIC a.e.t. 3 : 5 PSO

After 120 goalless minutes, all of Korea is in raptures as they eliminated Spain in a stirring penalty kick shoot-out 3 : 5 in Gwangju. The winning penalty came from captain Hong Myung-Bo. The co-hosts have advanced further than any expected and move on to face Germany in a remarkable semi-final in Seoul.

What a long way the Asians have come, having never won a FIFA World Cup™ match before the tournament. It was a courageous performance by both sides and both had fair claims to victory. Korea had fewer chances, but they challenged the outstanding central defensive partnership of Fernando Hierro and Nadal repeatedly. Spain had two goals called back by the referee and Fernando Morientes hit the post.

After a low-key start, the Europeans had the first real chance as Baraja swiveled and bicycle kicked a right wing cross wide of goal (18’).

Spain began to take control of the match with De Pedro whipping in a dangerous right wing free kick that was punched away under pressure by Lee Woon-Jae (24’).

Another dangerous skidding ball in, this time from the left, was headed firmly by Fernando Morientes from around the penalty spot, and Lee Woon-Jae made an awkward save holding the ball but only after colliding with the upright (29’).

La Furia Roja were winning a lot of high balls and captain Fernando Hierro soared above the Korean defence from a left wing corner only to see his header clear the post by inches (31’).

Up to this point, Guus Hiddink’s men hadn’t hit a shot in anger on the Spanish goal despite the noise and colour made by the Red Devil supporters. A deep right cross from the right just evaded Ahn Jung-Hwan lurking for one of his trademark headers (40’).

Joaquin, brought into the side to add pace down the right, sprinted down the flank and bent in a near-perfect centre that both keeper Lee Woon-Jae and Morientes, sliding in at the back post, missed by inches (43’).

A flurry of chances from Spain minutes before the break as first Joaquin couldn’t get his shot away after beating a number of players. Then the ball broke to De Pedro on the edge of the box but the normally lethal left peg fired the ball inches wide (46+’). And in the final action, Hierro had another header from a corner bounce onto the roof of the net (49+’).

Spain started the second half as they ended the first. Joaquin slipped through by Valeron, crossed for Morientes who, from inside the six-yard box, missed a glorious opportunity to give Jose Antonio Camacho’s team the lead, firing well wide of target (50’).

Spain piled on the pressure and Joaquin, roasting his marker again, cut inside on to his left foot but hit a weak shot which was comfortably saved by Lee Woon-Jae (59’).

From absolutely nowhere, Korea had the best chance of the game. A fine run down the left by Lee Chun Soo almost found Ahn Jung-Hwan, but the ball was cleared at the last by Hierro. From the resulting corner, Lee Chun Soo’s shot was blocked by Puyol, the ball broke to Park Ji-Sung, who from the edge of the six-yard box blasted a shot which was brilliantly kept out by Iker Casillas at his near post (67’).

The game was opening up and a neat one-two between Valeron and Joaquin ended up with the latter shooting into the side netting with the pocketful of Spanish supporters thinking it had gone in (72’).

There were few more opportunities as the game headed for extra-time. A long throw-in for Spain was flicked on by Morientes for Baraja who headed over in a good position eight yards out (85’).

Right at the end of 90 minutes, a shot from Lee Chun-Soo had Casillas diving to make the save to his left as Spanish hearts fluttered (91’+).

In the opening minutes of extra-time, Spain had the ball in the net but it was ruled to have crossed the byline following another outstanding run by Joaquin (93’).

\Never lacking fight, Korea responded well as Lee Chun-Soo curled a free kick from 22 yards just over Casillas’ cross bar (97’).

Spain were agonisingly close to scoring the golden goal as Morientes, receiving Joaquin’s quick throw-in inside the box, swiveled and shot onto the far post. Substitute Gaizka Mendieta shot wastefully high and wide form the rebound (100’).

Korea had a great chance to go through to the semi-finals as Lee Chun-Soo broke clear down the left and crossed perfectly for Hwang Sun-Hong, but his volley from eight yards was blocked by Nadal (109’).

Both teams seemed exhausted after a tense goalless game as they headed into penalties. It was the co-hosts who performed under the pressure. Hierro, Baraja and Xavi made their shots for Spain, but Joaquin’s miss was all that Korea would need, as Hwang Sun-Hong, Park Ji-Sung, Seol Ki-Hyeon, Ahn Jung-Hwan and Hong Myung-Bo all made their shots, sending the nation into yet another hysterical celebration.

Source:  FIFAWorldCup.com

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