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A Devil Of A Time…

June 22nd, 2006 | By: Johnny | 66 Comments »

A note to those still interested; post your predictions at will~

Okay, here’s what we’ve seen so far from our boys in Red/Pink.

Vs. Togo

I chalked this performance up to nerves, as they really didn’t get started until the second half, but I’m sure most people were worried then (and even now) that Togo’s early goal was a harbinger, as the true soccer fans in Korea did not enter this WC with extremely high expectations. They managed to turn it around with Ahn earning his pay early on in the second half, and Lee spiking in that great free kick. The only problems with Lee Chun-Soo were his shots while in motion. He got the tackles, he dribbled around defenders with relative ease, but his kicks and passes seemingly went nowhere most of the time.

Vs. France:

Most of you have already read my rundown about this game, but let’s be honest–either Korea was lucky to get the tie, or the French were extremely unlucky (not to mention bereft of ideas), but the fact remains that Korea has played about 60 minutes of decent football out of 180. 33.3% is not a great percentage, regardless of the standings. Not if you’re talking about getting past the round of 16. They were playing ‘hot potato’ and couldn’t string 3 passes together on this night.

The Swiss are riding high after handing Togo a 2-0 loss, but it wasn’t as much of a blow-out as some people believe. Togo missed about 3 decent chances, and the Swiss fullbacks were caught flat-footed on a few relatively simple crosses. But they did well to maintain possession for most of the game, and were very quick on the counterattack. With Korea’s defense so suspect, I can’t see them maintaining a clean sheet in this game.

If Korea wants to win, they’ll need to find the form they found in their 3rd matchup four years ago against Portugal. They’ll have to run at top speed for the entire match, and from what I’ve seen thus far, that doesn’t seem likely to happen. The Swiss will be playing for the win, so that they can play the Ukraine, their likely opponents (unless Spain really screws up against Saudi Arabia).

Most people should understand that Football is not like any other sport–name one team that can maintain its supremacy over four years? Too many variables affect a team’s performance in that time, not the least of which is the lack of hunger following major accomplishments.

Hiddink left the team following the last tournament, and the attitude of the team during subsequent qualifying matches/friendlies leading up to this WC was that all they had to do was show up, and the win would follow suit. Players were bought and sold based on their performance, and precious few lived up to their expectations. The team went through two coaches before settling on ‘Dick’. Without exception it happens to every country.

Germany; World Cup winners in ‘90, but tumbled out of Euro ‘92 and WC ‘94.

Denmark; Euro winners in ‘92, but didn’t qualify for the ‘94 World Cup.

Brazil; Won the WC in ‘94, lost it in ‘98.

Greece; Won the Euro in ‘04, failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup.

Yes, I’m aware that Germany managed to bookend it’s ‘90 win with a ‘96 Euro championship, and that France won both back-to-back in ‘98 and ‘00, while Brazil made it to 3 consecutive finals and won 2 of them, but the point to be made is that it’s next to impossible to repeat your best performance.

I think a reasonable outcome for Korea would be a 1-1 draw, regardless of who wins the France/Togo match. I believe it would be a major victory and a shock if Korea beat Switzerland. Whatever happens, I want the team that wins to win it cleanly.

I don’t want to see any pointless cautions, disallowed goals that should have counted, no excuses. Korea has gotten a bad rap since ‘02 about not being able to win without ‘cheating’, and I don’t want there to be any ammunition to the pundits. Let them win, lose, or tie with their heads held high, but most of all, let’s see them play a full-on, full-speed 90 minutes.

Tags: Group G

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 66 comments.

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By coreaAllTheWay!!! | June 24th, 2006 at 4:30 pm

Blackheart, you probably can’t play soccer yourself so you find some other team to blame. If you tell Korea to go home once more, i will shove your finger down your throat so shut your mouth. Pablo, you shut up too. What are you talking about, beat up your wife. More like UK, natural to murder your wife! How does it feel, to take in abit of your own crap. Pablo, were are not sul-po, because we are not the ones who murder their wife and end up in jail. Maybe we did lose the match against Swiss, but we’ll be back, screaming and cheering more than ever, and when it’s Korea vs. US, the WHOLE stadium will be full of Korean supporters, maybe just seeing a speck of american colours, but highly unlikley. Our racist little culture? Who are you calling little? Korean? HELL NO.
Get your facts straight and racist? What did we ever do or say? NOTHING! Awwwww, you got told off awwwwww how sad!
look whos crying NOW!!!!
a big. BIG laugh.

Posted from Australia

By fuk stupy Korean | June 25th, 2006 at 1:35 am

Although people all over the world except fuking korean think this game to be fair,fuking korean still think they are ill treated.I would be glad to see some unfair matches for revenge their nasty performance in 2002.Unfortunately,it is a match without hands behind the curtain.first game,u won because togo had only 10;second game,you draw because your fuking thift keeper Woon-Jae Lee stole a goal from Viera.The truth is,without the help of the referees,you lost your last match.And you complain the referees even they have given you so much,just because they are not helping you again?Fuking stuped Korean.Fuk u all.you know only falsification!Like all your women are artificial beauties!Fed up!

Posted from United Kingdom

By Blackheart | June 25th, 2006 at 4:35 am

KOREA GO HOME. DON’T COME BACK! YOU ARE HORRIBLE FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND FIFA SHOULD BE ASHAMED THAT YOU QUALIFIED.

Posted from United States

By lilreddevil | June 25th, 2006 at 5:32 am

Korea tried their best and I speak for all Koreans: we are proud of their play. Blackheart, you don’t know crap about soccer. You’re so low: dissing out other soccer teams! go back to where you came from!!

Posted from United States

By Jose Nakamoto | June 25th, 2006 at 8:38 am

As a Brazilian-Japanese I agree with Blackgheart, Pablo, , fuk stupy Korean. Koreans are just cheaters.Thats right go home back to Seoul .Bai Bai and hope you dont qualify for next WC. Unlike Koreans we Japanese dont complaint about refs call. And we’re stil better than u koreans.We won 2 last Asian cup plus we have a higher FIFA RANKINGS.
go BRAZIL BABEY..>>>All the way 2 the top again.

Posted from United States

By Luke Kim | June 25th, 2006 at 9:06 am

u koreans are sore loosers . Why you have to curse because of you lost a soccer game. damn stupid

Posted from United States

By Bryan | June 25th, 2006 at 9:13 am

I am with Jose Nkamoto. I personally like Japanese people better . The’re much more kinder , not racist, and do not cause problems in other countries. I am a New Yorker fed up with Koreans around my neighborhood. U guys shoudl stop beating ur wife because i realli do see that almost every week. Stop whining and just enjoy the World cup.

Posted from United States

By Bryan | June 25th, 2006 at 9:14 am

Posted from United States

By dennis | June 25th, 2006 at 10:11 am

lot of people have a lot of pent up negative feelings toward korea. I mean, if u really go over the history of world cups, 2002 was not that much of an anomoly. Yes, there were definately calls (italy, spain), that if instant replay was part of soccer, would have been validly overruled. But there is no instant replay. So home countries, with fanatical crowds get referee decisions. Do u really think that all the host teams that have won world cups did so purely by skill? Secondly, there really is no need for racism here. I mean, lets be totally honest. I am korean american. the United states basically committed genocide on the native americans and enslaved hundreds of thousands of africans, england tried to conquer and pillage the world with their colonism, Japan tried the same (w/less vision) in attempting to take over asia, we all know what happened in germany … the list goes on. The past, as regrettalbe as it is, is the past. Some of you may think that some calls should have gone certain ways… but that is no reasxon to attack the countries… Do u really think that korea bribed FIFA refs in 2002 (i am directing this question to everyone except korea’s irrationally jealous co-host and its comic books)? I mean, if its that easy to bribe refs, how can u say honestly be sure that all the other host countries didn’t do the same?
Korea mad a run in 2002. They played better than exspected. in this last match, Suiss desevered to win.. the played better. Tho i think that the reneging of hte offsides call was wrong, such is life. The france goal should have gone in… the suiss handball should have been called… Maradona’s hand of god should have been carded. But there is no instant replay. . I really don’t think there is any reason to hate on bad calls… unless u really think bribery is involved.

Lastly, Do u really think that koreans disproportionately beat their wives, compared to other nations…. Loook at the global statistics. It really isn’t true. On a tangent, korea just elected its first woman prime mininster. How many “developed nations” including the US can boast this sort of equality.

Just some food for thought… sorry for the rambling.

Posted from United States

By babo waegookin | June 25th, 2006 at 11:48 am

Spot on, Dennis. Posts here seem to have little to do with soccer at the moment - a lot more to do with anti-korea sentiment. Funny, very funny that people are using the same generalisations they (at times justifiably) accuse Koreans of.

Still, the offside goal was not - offside. It came off a Korean player, so it was onside. Korea’s bad for stopping play before hearing the whistle.

Koreans are annoying me here at the moment with their playing of the victim card - not a new phemomenon at all. My wife included. So what if the president of FIFA is Swiss. Like the ref. was considering that when he made the call. Ridiculous. I even heard a Korean commentator during the game say it was NOT offside. Boy is he in trouble now. Many Koreans, including my wife, think he should be fired. Why? Because he told the truth? Ridiculous. He was a star player in his day, knows the game, and a mob of Koreans who couldn’t give a toss about soccer but once every four years are condemning him because he denies them their wish to cry injustice when they fail. Absurd. But I think it’s just a national tendency play the victim here, and it ain’t apt to change soon - not with the 5,000 years of practice they’ve had at it while being constantly pressured by surrounding nations. I do wish they’d grow out of it, but it’s not likely.

Still, these people who take pleasure in bashing Koreans for whatever faults, they’re a bit sad and silly. They spent some time here, found the culture abraisive and unpleasant and are now hoping all Koreans suffer for it. Guess their lives didn’t get very much more fulfilling after they left then, huh. Sad.

Still, many Koreans - including the media - weren’t very nice when Japan got beaten by Australia and subsequently knocked out. Not nice at all to cheer such things. Still, I’d hate to be childish and bitter toward them in a similiar way. That would make me pretty sad now, wouldn’t it.

I was personally hoping they would get through to the semis so that Australia could knock them out, and my wife could hate me with a passion. That would have been interesting in deed. Heheh.

Go the Roos.

Oh, an entertaining sidenote: I can’t connect to the FIFA website from here. Apparently FIFA is blocking all Korean IPs to stop the server flooding they got from angry Koreans after the Swiss game. Ah well, it’s all fun and games till someone loses an eye or gets pregnant.

Posted from Republic Of Korea

By Blackheart | June 25th, 2006 at 2:59 pm

LOL there is no racism in my posts. Just facts about the state of Korean football. I haven’t attacked the Korean race, I’ve attacked your football team and their spotty history in the World Cup. If you can’t handle the fact that you are CHEATERS who don’t deserve to be on the same stage as England, Brazil, Germany, and Spain then you are the irrational ones.

Good Bye, Korea! Don’t come back! Hopefully now that Australia is in your qualifying group there is even less of a chance of you qualifying for WC and embarassing yourself on the international stage. HAHAHAHAAH

Posted from United States

By Taejin Hwang | June 25th, 2006 at 5:30 pm

I cannot but protest against the Referee’s unreasonable and unfair decision on S. Korea – Switzerland match.
I do not believe that the Referee is the Almighty who is able to choose which team advances to next round.
Everything was ruined by the chief referee’s ridiculous and unfair decision. He interrupted the Korean players’ strong desire to chase and discouraged them without any hope.
Yes, it is true that the Korean players missed several chances to make a goal due to lack of capacity or competency, but it is a different matter.
We want to watch fair-play games not foul-play games. It is totally absurd that the chief referee intentionally ignored twice handling fouls and one offside by Swiss players.
I believe sport is the last area where sportsmanship and fair play shall be admitted and realized.
I duly ask the same Referee not to make such a stupid mistake again for our international festival, World Cup 2006!!

Posted from Republic Of Korea

By Kelvin | June 26th, 2006 at 7:23 am

From what I am seeing lately in these blog is racism. And i really don’t like that. To me no team is cheating in this World Cup. And almost every team have waste time(when having a little lead) or have been playing diry. It’s the WC every country wants to win it. Rite?
We cant say a country is cheating and start being racist. All country has its weaknesses and strength. It’s just been a bad WC because of all the many bad calls by the refs. But we shoudlnt blame the refs too because they cant see everything from our point of view (from TV. They are humans also and thus they make mistakes. SO lets just enjoy the rest of the WC. We should all respect each other and be proud that our countries made it into this WC. And to everyone else too.

Posted from United States

By coreaAllTheWay!!! | June 26th, 2006 at 10:07 am

Well said Kelvin.
there is so much racism coming out of PABLO & BLACKHEART
that they are forgetting what the WC is all about. Not bitching, not racism but winning and also a chance to see what the other teams are like, easy or hard, just another place to kind of socialise. Blackheart says he has no racism in his comments… FUK NO
stop lying
we can READ DUDE
and it clearly has bitching about KOREA
so really you should get a life and shut up
~thankyou very much~
>

Posted from Australia

By Blackheart | June 26th, 2006 at 5:16 pm

you realize Korea is the country, not a race — right? moron.

It’s so awesome to watch this round of 16, free of any Korean cheaters!!

Posted from United States

By DK | July 3rd, 2006 at 7:46 am

whoever wrote this article…geez
u obviously think Korea sucks
sure…they weren’t the best this time but saying that it was luck in 2002…now that is just too much….

Posted from United States

By DK | July 3rd, 2006 at 8:01 am

omg….Blackheart,Bryan,Pablo,and Luke Kim…I wouldn’t be talkin! First of all, I bet whatever country ur from, that ur country didn’t even get into world cup or lost a worst game then us…and if we’re such losers, why care to comment on us…spend ur time praising ur stoopid countries. and for Jose Nakamoto, u stupid Brazilian-Japanese, ur just angry cuz Japan wants Korea’s land. and obviously u have nothin 2 say. Brazil won Japan and then Brazil lost to France. Go cry for ur own country. Look who’s laughin now? Koreans still have pride. Brazil is nothing but crap now! U won this time cuz Ronaldo and luck.

Posted from United States

By to blackheart | July 3rd, 2006 at 1:32 pm

How old are you??? I want you to never come to this worldcup blog as i am tired of hearing your immature comments.

Go and play with your daddy.

Posted from New Zealand

By Alessandro | July 3rd, 2006 at 9:12 pm

LOL… this blog is really harmonious… Korean bashing is a great deal funny to read and the shabby response to racist arguments are hilarious… You guys take it easy, great powerhouse are in the final four, now it’s serious games. Either American, Australian or Korean watch the Europeans lift the trophy, this is where football belongs. Little nations watch on TV!

France
Portugal
Italia
Germany

Your bet??

FORZA ITALIAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted from France

By Vitel | July 6th, 2006 at 12:59 am

How come silly koreans say Frei’s goal was illegal? does anyone on your country know anything about soccer rules? There is NO offside when the ball is passed back to an opponent offside player by the defense! The swiss player pass the ball to CABANAS who is behind and NOT in offside position, but amateurish korean defender passed it to Frei, thus NO offside. Go read a damn soccer rules book, idiots. No wonder korea cup was a bad refereeing scandal!

Stop crying about the ref, there was no crucial mistake on this match, unlike *cough* italy x korea and spain x korea in 2002.

Posted from Brazil

By KOREA FOREVER | July 6th, 2006 at 4:10 pm

FUCK U,BLACKHEART!

Posted from China

By What is the World Cup? | July 8th, 2006 at 1:36 am

What is this world cup everyone speaks of? Never heard of it. Anyone know when the curling is on?

Posted from Canada

By Hahaha - Korea | July 14th, 2006 at 7:44 am

I hope you never make it to the World Cup again. You are the worst fans every: no clue about football and whingers as well.

Hahaha-Korea-Hahaha-Korea

Posted from Australia

By Korea Fighting!!! | February 14th, 2007 at 5:53 am

This is MY message to the people in this blog. If you read it, and take it to heart, thank you very much. For those who read it, and post ANY kind of message of: hate, jealousy, mockery, or verbal assault, then curse your black heart ’till the day you die.

1. Pple can bitch on and on about Korea, not listening to any of the messages written by the decent minority of people in this blog. But it still won’t change anything. Except for your own self-esteem plummeting into the ocean.

2. Talking crap about Korea vs Swiss and Korea’s 2002 World Cup run doesn’t change anything in the present-day.

3. Talking like you people are right now, only gives other people reading these blogs, the impression that you are very narrow-minded, black-hearted human beings.

4. For those people who are complaining about Italy vs Korea in 2002, you can’t talk: Your players were tripping, pulling, pushing, and on the rare occasion, violently throwing down our players onto the ground. (Easily visible on a video on youtube, but I will not mention it, as people will only go there to type trash about Korea)

5. For people arguing about Frei’s goal vs Korea that was SAID to be an offside, you have all the rights to argue about it, but you have NO RIGHT to directly mock Korea in the process.

6. For those who say Korea has the ‘worst fans in the world’… I don’t see your country rolling out a giant flag every time your anthem is played… or you country STILL cheering for you team as one voice within the stadium, even when they’ve lost and your World Cup run is over.

7. For people who say Korea bribed the referees in 2002/06, GO TO HELL. The refs make their own decisions, be it good or bad ones, and all those events are then considered a THING OF THE PAST.

8. For people who argue and bag Korea about Viera’s ‘goal’, then get a life. The camera feed was AT A DIAGONAL when that happened, and you can’t judge anything unless you get a clear, straight view.

There. I’ve made my point. Now take it, or leave it.

Posted from Australia

By Korea Fighting!!! | February 14th, 2007 at 6:15 am

Advocaat wasn’t much of a coach as Hiddink. Our starting lineup should have been like this:

(4-4-2)

GKP: Lee Woon Jae

DEF: Song Chong Guk, Kim Jin Kyu, Kim Young Chul, Lee Young Pyo

MID: Kim Nam Il, Lee Ho, Lee Eul Young, Park Ji Sung

FW: Lee Chun Soo, Cho Jae Jin

Subs:

Kim Sang Sik (If needed in def)
Cho Won Hee (If needed in def)
Seol Ki Hyeon (1st/2nd half)
Park Chu Young (2nd Half)
Ahn Jung Hwan (2nd Half)

IMPORTANT!!!—-

The reason why i suggested Seol Ki-Hyeon, Park Chu Young and Ahn Jung Hwan come on at a later stage, is that Korea’s main strength is STAMINA. After tiring out the opponent a bit, THAT’S the time to bring on Korea’s main guns, with plenty of energy for the game. That would be the main reason for Ahn’s late entry, although i agree that Advocaat brought him on a bit too late at times.

But it’s kinda risky, as the starting lineup may concede some goals (but only if Advocaat decides to put defenders like Lee Young Pyo and Song Chong Guk in midfield…

And Korea doesn’t really have the unity it had in WC 2002. But then again, 2 of our best defenders had ritred after WC 2002, so dat can’t be helped… (Hong Myung Bo, Kim Tae Young)

Posted from Australia

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