Seconds To The Dream: Spain Vs. Korea–World Cup 2002

Preceding this game, I didn’t really fancy Spain’s chances. They had a patchy run through the group stages, winning the group but conceding goals in each match, narrowly beating South Africa by a score of 3:2.

And let’s face it, Spain joins the ranks of Holland and England as the most notorious of under-achievers. They then squeaked past Ireland with all the luck on their side on penalties, and were now up against an extremely fired-up home side.

While I predicted that Korea would go down to Italy in spades, I had no such confidence in the Spaniards. History tells the tale better than I ever could. But sometimes surprises abound in any tournament, and this would be no different.

Spain dominated the first half, spurning all kinds of chances. I was particularly impressed that their midfield could do such a great job at pace-setting, matching the energetic Koreans speed for speed, and when you’ve got 50,000 fans screaming for your head, that shows a wee bit ‘o’ character.

We all know what happened next. A couple of disallowed goals (one of which, had it occured during a hockey game would have surely been allowed), extra time, then a home win on penalties. To be honest, it was a bit anti-climactic after the Korea/Italy game, and it was one the Koreans were lucky to walk away with. However, luck is part of the game, and when you’ve got it, ride with it.

I gave full credit to the Spaniards–who could have been as poor-sported as the Italians–they didn’t make as big a deal of the lousy officiating; they left that for the pundits. And their own coach. Opinions differed on all sides, but here’s an article from Andy Gray that summarized my opinion at the time.

The aftermath here in Pusan? Loads of “Be The Reds”-clad (don’t even bother to ask me what it means; I must know a hundred English teachers here that were and remain equally baffled) supporters doing their thing on each and every street corner. Cue the music, lights, sounds, firecrackers, etc. They’d be up against Germany in the next game, and I had no doubts whatsoever who’d come up short.