Asian World Cup Qualifiers - 2nd Round - Saudi Arabia v South Korea; South Korea v Uzbekistan

John Duerden reports

What a difference a week makes!

On the afternoon of March 25th as the South Korean national team were preparing for a vital World Cup Qualifying game in Damman, Saudi Arabia, they did so as the leaders of Group A.

OK, the Final Stage of Asian World Cup Qualifying was only one game old but a 2-0 victory over Kuwait in Seoul's World Cup Stadium had given the World Cup semi-finalists a perfect start.

Five games remained; the first being the tricky fixture in the middle-east at the home of Asian powerhouse Saudi Arabia, bidding to qualify for a fourth consecutive World Cup.

The Saudis, under the guidance of Argentine Gabriel Calderon, had managed a 1-1 draw in Uzbekistan and were looking for a good result in order to stay in the hunt for one of the top two places in the group that guaranteed a spot in Germany.

The record books will show that South Korea lost 2-0 in what was swiftly christened in the Korean media, "The Damman Shock" but they won't convey the lack of energy and cohesion in the visitors' performance. Despite having much of the possession the East Asians never looked like troubling the Saudi goalkeeper.

At the other end, the hosts scored twice, Saud Khariri netted the first in the 24th minute after good work down the right wing from Yasser Al-Qhatani.

The impressive Al-Qhatani killed the game with a quarter of an hour remaining as he drove home an unstoppable penalty after being brought down by Park Dong-hyuk.

It is no disgrace to lose to Saudi Arabia in their own backyard but the manner of defeat was worrying – none of the dynamism and passion that lit up the World Cup three years ago was in evidence in Damman. In contrast, it was the hosts who looked energetic, pacy and ‘up for it.'

As PSV Eindhoven's midfielder and increasingly Korea's most important player Park Ji-sung told reporters after the game, "they were mentally and physically stronger than us and seemed to know all about our tactics."

Bonfrere - Lacking Charisma

Such comments from your star player are worrying and coach Jo Bonfrere partially agreed, putting the defeat down to the Saudis' greater fighting spirit, a comment that didn't go down too well in a country where he still has yet to win over the fans and media.

The Dutchman doesn't have the charisma of his predecessor Guus Hiddink and according to some Korean newspapers, he also doesn't have his compatriot's tactical and leadership qualities, Hiddink is a fox while Bonfrere is a stubborn mule.

One such publication, the popular Sports Seoul went as far as to suggest that he should resign if the team was defeated by Uzbekistan.

The Central Asians had been fancied by many as an improving team that was easily capable of finishing in the top two. However, the former Soviet republic arrived in Seoul on the back of a 2-1 defeat in Kuwait City that left them firmly rooted at the bottom of Group A with a solitary point from two games. Even more than the hosts, the visitors needed a result if they were going to become the first Central Asian nation to reach the World Cup.

A tough task for Jurgen Gede's side was made more difficult with the news that Dinamo Kiev striker Maksim Shatskikh and inspirational captain, Mirdjalal Kasimov were injured.

We will never know if the duo would have made a difference but without them Uzbekistan never looked like getting a result in the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

The home team, seemingly energized by the return of striker Cha Du-ri after a four match ban, went at the Uzbekis from the beginning and should have been ahead at the interval with only a mixture of good goalkeeping from Ignatiy Nesterov and poor finishing keeping the game goalless.

Nine minutes into the second half Lee Young-pyo broke the deadlock with a deflected shot into the right hand corner of the goal. It was the PSV Eindhoven midfielder's second goal of the stage as he had netted in the opening game victory over Kuwait.

Also on the scoresheet that cold night in February was Lee Dong-gook and the striker once again scored a beautiful volley from just inside the area on the hour mark to make it 2-0.

"That should have been the end of the game," said Bonfrere but with a vital victory seemingly within their grasp, the Koreans continued to stream forward looking for more goals but soon regretted their recklessness when Alexander Geynrikh pulled a goal back for the visitors with 13 minutes left. The 20-year-old striker had been impressive all night and took his goal well, silencing the enthusiastic Korean fans.

Despite getting their foot in the door, the Uzbekis never looked like forcing it open and a relieved Jo Bonfrere was able to celebrate taking three points and, because Saudi Arabia were held to a goalless draw in Kuwait, returning to the top of Group A.

For the moment at least the fans and media are happy. "Two more wins", said the coach after the game "six more points will be enough." In all likelihood six won't be necessary and Korea can take a giant step towards Germany if they can triumph in Tashkent, the Uzbek capital in the next match on June 3.

John Duerden

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