perfect start with a hard fought 1-0 win over Oman in
Canberra on Saturday.
With main Group A rivals Australia securing all three
points from their opening game against Kuwait on
Friday, a win was vital for the South Koreans and they
got it thanks to a goal in first half stoppage time
from Cho Young-cheol.
Oman had several half chances throughout the
match but failed to capitalise, with only some heroic
goalkeeping from Ali Al Habsi and indecision in the
final third from South Korea keeping the scoreline at
1-0.
A scrappy opening period gave way to an
entertaining first half that was largely dominated
by Uli Stielike's South Koreans, with Oman playing on
the counter in front of 12,552 fans at Canberra
Stadium.
Cho Young-cheol had Omani goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi
worried early with a low drive from the edge of the
area, and the Gulf side were lucky not to find
themselves behind a minute later when Son Heung-
min hit the bar with a delicate chip.
Oman began to grow into the game and it was not
long before they had a chance of their own, Jaber Al
Owaisi wasting a chance he should have taken when
he put a free header over the bar in the 12th minute.
A penalty appeal for Oman was contentiously ignored
after Kim Joo-young clattered into Qasim Said in the
15th minute and there were signs of stress appearing
across the South Korean backline.
An early injury to right-back Kim Chang-soo forced
Stielike into a change, with veteran Cha Du-ri
replacing him.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.
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