World Cup 2010
PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AP)—Lee Jung-soo and Park Ji-sung each scored and South Korea cruised to a 2-0 win over lackluster Greece in Saturday’s first Group B match of the World Cup.
Lee tapped in a free kick from short range in the seventh minute and Park Ji-sung doubled the lead in the 52nd with a slick solo goal.
The Manchester United midfielder collected a misplaced pass from Vassilis Torosidis and skipped past two defenders before slipping a shot beyond goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas.
Striker Park Chu-young had another three chances to score for South Korea, and Fanis Gekas had a shot saved with 10 minutes left in what was Greece’s best chance.
Greece coach Otto Rehhagel stood on the sideline at the end of the match, his hands on his hips and a fierce scowl on his face.
Nigeria and Argentina played Saturday in the other Group B match.
South Korea spent much of the opening minutes giving the ball away to the former European champions and defending desperately, but it scored in its first opportunity.
Ki Sung-yong curled in a free kick from near the left corner flag and the ball brushed the top of Konstantinos Katsouranis’ head before reaching Lee at the far post. The central defender tapped the ball into an unguarded net.
Rehhagel replaced captain Giorgos Karagounis at the half, but South Korea continued to dominate and Park Ji-sung made it 2-0.
Torosidis gave the ball away to Park midway inside his own half. Park surged forward and beat two sliding tackles before scoring with a low shot.
Greece mustered only a couple of blocked shots and appealed desperately for a late penalty when Gekas’ shot hit a defender. The South Korean had his arms raised but replays showed the ball hit his body.
Gekas then unleashed a shot from about 12 yards but goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong punched it over the bar.
After reaching the 2002 semifinals as co-host with Japan, South Korea won its 2006 opener against Togo but was still eliminated from the first round after drawing with France and losing to Switzerland.
This is the Greeks’ second appearance in the World Cup. In 1994, Greece gave up a goal to Argentina in the second minute of its opening game. Greece improved this time out, but only by five minutes.
The Greeks will go for their first-ever World Cup win against Nigeria next Saturday, when central defender Vangelis Moras should be fit to return from a persistent groin injury.
source : Yahoo News
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