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Korea bows out

June 26, 2014

Plays the entire second half with one more man only to lose 1-0 to Belgium

Korea coach Hong Myung-bo embraces a sobbing Son Heung-min after Korea's 1-0 loss to Belgium in their Group H match in Sao Paulo. The loss eliminated Korea from the World Cup. (Yonhap)

Korea coach Hong Myung-bo embraces a sobbing Son Heung-min after Korea’s 1-0 loss to Belgium in their Group H match in Sao Paulo. The loss eliminated Korea from the World Cup. (Yonhap)

By Lee Kyutae

South Korea bowed out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil on Thursday following a very disappointing 1-0 loss to Belgium.

To stay alive in the tournament, Korea needed to defeat Belgium by at least two goals at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, and also get a favorable result from the other Group H match that unfolded at the same time.

But Korea failed to take care of its own end of the equation, as Jan Vertonghen scored the match’s lone goal in the 77th minute to clinch first place in the group for Belgium.

Korea appeared to have a decent chance to advance after Belgium’s midfielder Steven Defour was sent off just before halftime for stepping on Kim Shin-wook’s shin. But Korea never looked like a team on a mission to get multiple goals in the second half, and failed to capitalize on the man advantage.

Korea played the entire second half with one more player, but showed no urgency and still ended up losing the half, and the game 1-0.

Korea finished the tournament last in Group H with one point on a draw and two losses. 

Algeria joined Belgium in the round of 16 after a 1-1 draw against Russia.

Belgium had already clinched a spot in the round of 16 before Thursday’s match. Belgium won Group H with nine points and will take on the United States, the runner-up from Group G.

Algeria will go up against the Group G winner, Germany.

 

 

One Comment

  1. sunnysidetong

    June 27, 2014 at 10:04 AM

    Don’t cry out loud ,little hero Son…you’re just 21 years old boy..too much load was on you by coach Hong…after 4 years from now,you’ll be the leader of the pack.

    Reply