The script in Seoul was followed almost to the letter. Dick Advocaat (pictured at right) got a victory in his first game as coach, the defence managed to keep a clean sheet and although Park Ji-sung didn't cap off a fine performance with a goal, 61,000 fans left Seoul World Cup Stadium in high spirits after seeing South Korea defeat Iran 2-0.
The win against their fellow Asian World Cup qualifiers was more than welcome in the Land of the Morning Calm. The very reason why the Dutchman had replaced another Hollander, Jo Bonfrere, was a summer of poor results against other Asian opposition.
The gloom that surrounded the football community after defeats at home to Japan and Saudi Arabia and insipid draws with North Korea and China deepened with Bonfrere's departure. Although many fans were glad to see him go, the messy manner of his leaving only added to supporter's frustrations.
The darkness lifted somewhat with the appointment of Advocaat. The two-time Netherlands coach is much more media savvy than his predecessor and had created a mood of optimism in a media that was eager to write positive pieces about the national team.
The 58-year-old had introduced another mood upon meeting his players - one of strictness. The stars were told not to drive to the national training centre, 25 miles north of Seoul and instead shared taxis or luckier ones like Park Ji-sung and Park Chu-young were dropped off by their agents.
Upon arrival, the players were allocated rooms depending on their position, 'keeper shared with 'keeper, striker with striker and so on. Also, the use of cellphones was cut considerably and fines imposed for lateness.
The team responded by scoring their earliest ever goal in their history. Debutant Cho Won-hee fired home inside the first minute against a bewildered Iran defence. The Persians are well-known to the Taeguk Warriors with memories still fresh of their last encounter in the 2004 Asian Cup.
In the quarter-final of that competition, Ali Karimi produced a performance that went a long way to winning him the Asian Player of the Year award. The 'Wizard of Tehran' was mesmerizing that night in Jinan, scoring a hat-trick in his team's 4-3 victory.
Karimi had since moved to Bayern Munich, a team which has more than a little history with Manchester United, Park Ji-sung's new club. In some quarters, the match had been billed as a clash between Karimi and his probable successor as the recipient of the continental prize.
If it was a battle between the trickery of Karimi and the energy of Park then the Korean won as did his team with a display that lacked class but more than made up for that shortcoming with a fierce desire to win.
If Korean fans had been hoping for a return to 2002, they would have been delighted with the return of the high-energy pressing game that did so much for the team three years ago. The players, understandably with a new boss, never stopped running and gave the cultured visitors little time or space.
Iran were visibly frustrated by the lack of progress they made in the final third of the pitch and it is a measure of the hosts' defending that the West Asians created no clear-cut chances.
After scoring the opening goal in the first minute, South Korea looked the livelier of the teams for much of the game although Iran enjoyed more possession in the second period. As the visitors moved further and further forward in a vain attempt for an equalizer, the hosts broke forward in the last minute to take advantage of gaps in Iran's defence and score the second and the goal that sealed the victory.
Kim Jin-kyu's strike made sure that the evening ended on a high, for the majority of least, and it was as much as the home team deserved though there is still a great deal of work to be done as the new coach said.
"I was impressed with some players and not so impressed with others. I was happy with the result though results are not always important as we have to find out what needs improving. I've seen some good things and things that we need to improve."
It was clear that though the team worked incredibly hard, the play in the final third left much to be desired but Advocaat can be given the benefit of the doubt as he only met the players five days prior to the game. However, guts and passion with get a team so far in the World Cup; an improvement in passing is necessary.
For now however, it is time to enjoy the sudden sunshine that has broken out in the world of South Korean football.