05/26(Sun) 21:04

French Squeeze Last Gasp Victory Against Confident Korea 3:2

Team Korea came close to giving favorites France a serious scare in their World Cup friendly, Sunday, with a last gasp goal giving the French a 3:2 victory in the 43rd minute of the second half. In front of a capacity 43,000 crowd, Korea showed just how far they have come since the last meeting of the two sides in the Confederations Cup last year, where they were trounced 5:0.

France started the game with a good technical display, but were unable to convert this into goals, the closest being a Thierry Henry shot that sailed over the bar. In the 16th minute, however, Henry latched on to a David Trezeguet center from the left flank, and off balance, produced a superb one-touch volley that gave goalkeeper Kim Byung-ji no chance. Ten minutes later Korea evened the score with a central through ball finding Park Ji-sung, who slipped his defender to the left before rifling a shot through French keeper Fabien Barthez.

To the delight of the Korean fans, and the evident shock of the French, Seol Ki-hyeon put the home side into the lead in the 43rd minute, rising unmarked to reach a free kick, which he calmly headed to the right of Barthez. The first half ended with Korea leading 2:1.

The second half started with the same intensity as the first with Korea pushing their opponents, however a momentary defensive slip allowed Christian Dugarry to reach a long center, which he powered into the net, tying the game. With both sides creating equal amounts of chances, but failing to capitalize on them, the game looked set for a draw, a result that Korea richly deserved, when Frank Leboeuf received a cross inside the area from Witford, which after controlling it with his chest he fired into the roof of the net.

Despite the loss, Korea can look back on a game well played and forward to its group D encounters with confidence.

(Chris Price, chris@chosun.com)