Co-Hosts Split At World Cup
In yet another thrilling match in a World Cup rife with brilliant soccer, South Korea pulled off a stunning 2-1 upset of Italy on Tuesday, tying the score with just minutes left and then scoring the game-winner in overtime. Earlier, Turkey broke Japanese hearts with a 1-0 victory that knocked the co-host out of the World Cup on Tuesday.
The Koreans' victory sends them into the quarterfinals against Spain, and sends the three-time champions home. Ahn Jung-hwan, who earlier missed a penalty shot, scored 27 minutes into overtime on a header, sending the raucous home crowd into delirium. South Korea hadn't even won a game at five previous trips to soccer's biggest event.
The South Koreans matched the feat of their northern neighbors, who became the first Asian team to advance to the quarterfinals in 1966, also by shocking Italy.
Ahn leaped to meet a floating pass into the area and slammed the winning header past Italian 'keeper Gianluigi Buffon. The Perugia striker sprinted for the dugout, kissing the ring finger and then slumping to his knees as fireworks erupted outside the stadium and almost 40,000 fans, almost all dressed in the supporters' shirts of their beloved "Red Devils," burst into celebration.
"We made it to the last eight because of the big support from the fans," said Defender Kim Tae-young.
Vieri's goal looked like the match winner until two minutes before the end of regulation time. The Italian striker outmaneuvered a pack of defenders to meet Francesco Totti's corner from the left side and angled a header between Lee Woon-jae and the near post. After his goal, Vieri ran for the dugouts with his right forefinger to his lips, gesturing to the home crowd that the Italians were going to silence their critics. He was so wrong.
In Turkey's win, Umit Davala, rising unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box, headed home a corner from Ergun Penbe in the 12th minute to seal a quarterfinal place against Senegal. It was his second of the tournament.
Japan, making history by qualifying for the second round, was roared on by a vociferous crowd in blue shirts in the driving rain. The match ended with some of the Japanese players and fans crying.
Japan's French coach, Philippe Troussier, said his team's performance had created "a great dynamic that will help future development.
"Today I am very proud to have led this team, and to have worn the Japanese colors for four years," he said, choking back tears.
"I say 'bravo' to this team. It played with dignity."
Alessandro Santos came closest to leveling the score, but saw a curling free kick from the edge of the box come crashing back off the crossbar in the 41st minute. The Brazilian-born midfielder, however, was taken off at halftime, alongside Junichi Inamoto.
In the early stages, neither side got a grip on the game. With the pitch slippery, players were pumping long balls forward in hope of a knock on.
The breakthrough came after Japan conceded an unnecessary corner after a poor backpass. That set the tone for much of the half as the co-host frequently made passing errors.