South Koreans stun cocky French By MSN’s Matt Ball
Last updated June 19 2006
Forget Argentina’s 24-pass wonder goal against Serbia & Montenegro and Deco’s rocket against Iran, no World Cup goal so far has given me as much pleasure as South Korea’s late equaliser against France.
The French swaggered their way through this match, getting an early goal by Thierry Henry. But once Patrick Vieira’s header from a corner was adjudged not to have crossed the goal line (TV replays suggest otherwise) they decided to confine themselves to preventing South Korea scoring rather than pushing for the killer second goal.
How they were to regret that. To be fair, for much of the match South Korea did not have an answer to France’s style of play. The French set the tempo for the match, slowing the game down when they had possession and, when they did not, forcing South Korea to aim hopeful (and usually hopeless) long balls to short strikers who were out-jumped by stronger defenders.
But cheered on by the relentless, loud – and dare I say tuneful – support of their fanatical supporters, the South Koreans never gave up and in the final ten minutes of the match they got their reward when Park Ji-Sung’s touch looped over keeper Barthez and into the far corner.
There was still time for France to miss a couple of sitters and for Zidane to get his second booking of the tournament, meaning he will miss the final match against Togo.
Could France crash out of the World Cup at group stage for the second tournament running? I certainly hope so.
Brazil 2-0 Australia
Another team not living up to expectations is Brazil but, unlike France, they have still managed to grind out two wins.
For much of the match Australia looked the better team, playing with more energy and purpose than a lacklustre Brazil side. Striker Ronaldo, in particular, looked out of sorts – again. Somehow he managed to set up Adriano to put Brazil 1-0 ahead just after half time. Australia missed some great chances to equalise but once Robinho replaced Ronaldo Brazil looked a different team.
And it was he who set up the second goal, his shot rebounding off the post to substitute Fred (yes, really) who had a simple tap in.
Japan 0-0 Croatia
A draw suited neither team – both had lost their opening game – but this match petered out after an encouraging start.
Japan do not have strikers good enough for this level of football but they do have a goalkeeper who can save penalties – Kawaguchi saving Srno’s spot-kick on 21 minutes. | 
