S. Korea ends Indonesia's Asian Cup soccer fairytale
S. Korea ends Indonesia's Asian Cup soccer fairytale
ABU DHABI (AFP): Indonesia's Asian Cup fairytale was rudely ended here Saturday when it was crushed 4-2 by South Korea in their Group A match.
The no-nonsense Koreans showed no mercy to the Indonesians, playing in their first ever Asian Cup finals.
The Indonesians, still savoring their amazing 2-2 draw with Kuwait in their group opener, were brought back to earth after only five minutes when Kim Do Hoon volleyed home from only six yards out.
Reserve goalkeeper Hendro Kartiko, standing in for Kurnia Sandi who had his nose broken in the clash with Kuwait, could do nothing but collect the ball from the back of the net.
Two minutes later Kartiko found himself going looking for the ball again when Hwang Sun-hong rose to meet Roh Sang-rae's corner.
With Indonesian's fairytale rapidly turning into a nightmare the Koreans continued to force forward.
In the 15th minute Roh drove the ball across the goalmouth and with the Indonesia defense in shreds Ko Jeong-woon hit home number three.
But the Indonesians, nor their tiny band of 150 supporters, refused to give up trying, even thought the Korean defense was easily containing what few attacks Indonesia could mount.
By the time half-time mercifully came Korea could have been easily six up.
Hwang found himself all alone in the Indonesian area with only Kartiko, but Hwang, surprised at finding himself with so much time saw his shot rebound off Kartiko's legs.
Ha Seok-ju was set up by Hwang but somehow managed to miss from in front of the goal.
Ko got his second in the 51st minute, heading home a Roh cross.
Indonesia might have been beaten but it was not down.
Four minutes later a swinging corner kick by Ronny Wabia caught Kim Bong-soo a foot too far off his line and Kim could not stop the ball going into the net.
Nevertheless, Korea were still firmly in charge and even when midfielder Aples Tecuari broke up field before sending an-inch- perfect pass to a charging Widodo Putra on the right to slot home in the 66th minute there was never any doubt about the outcome.
The win puts Korea atop of the group, equal on points with UAE who earlier came back from two goals down to beat Kuwait 3-2. Both sides are now almost certain to into the quarterfinals.
Asian Cup standings after Saturday's Group A matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, against, points):
Group A: South Korea 2 1 1 0 5 3 4 UAE 2 1 1 0 4 3 4 Kuwait 2 0 1 1 4 5 1 Indonesia 2 0 1 1 4 6 1
Group B: Saudi Arabia 1 1 0 0 6 0 3 Iraq 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 Iran 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 Thailand 1 0 0 1 0 6 0
Group C: Uzbekistan 1 1 0 0 2 0 3 Japan 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 Syria 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 China 1 0 0 1 0 2 0