WFI‘s Adam Brandon counts down to Russia 2018 with 90 World Cup goals in 90 days, scored in the minute corresponding to the day in the countdown.
Context
South Korea’s success in the 2002 World Cup in their own country raised expectations to unrealistic levels. The success was a perfect mix of a talented group of players, home advantage, a top class coach and good degree of fortune all coming together at the right time.
Between 2002 and 2010, they qualified for Germany 2006 – winning their first World Cup match on foreign soil. They also enjoyed a couple of East Asian Cup triumphs.
Under the guidance of Huh Jung-moo, South Korea went 27 games unbeaten in the lead up to the 2010 tournament. The side was led by Park Ji-sung, by far the biggest star South Korea had produced at that point — a player who has won numerous titles with one of the biggest clubs in the world.
The other players looked up to him and Park looked to lead by example. Their group contained Argentina, Nigeria and Greece. They weren’t favoured by many observers to get out of it.
In their opening match against Greece they got off to the perfect start, when after just seven minutes centre back Lee Jung-soo scored with his head.
Minutes later, a perfect through ball from Park Ji-Sung set Park Chu-young on his way but the star striker was unable to finish and it remained 1-0 at the break.
The Goal
Park Ji-sung becomes the first Asian player to score in three World Cups with this superb goal to seal victory for the East Asians:
What Happened Next?
It finished 2-0 and then South Korea drew against Nigeria, which meant they came second in the group and played Uruguay in the last 16.
Two Luis Suarez goals either side of a Lee Chung-Yong strike gave Uruguay a place in the quarter final and left South Korea to lament poor finishing and bad defending.
South Korea disappointed in 2014, finishing bottom of a group they would have fancied getting out of. The draw for 2018 has handed them a tough task of Germany, Mexico and Sweden.
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