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Korea’s loss to Algeria puts K-town fans in low spirits

June 24, 2014
A fan watches Korea's 4-2 loss against Algeria on Sunday in Koreatown. (Park Sang-hyuk / The Korea Times)

A fan watches Korea’s 4-2 loss against Algeria on Sunday in Koreatown. (Park Sang-hyuk / The Korea Times)

Soccer fans in Los Angeles’ Koreatown started the week off in low spirits after Korea’s devastating 4-2 World Cup loss to Algeria Sunday.

Chances of advancing to the next round are unlikely. Only Korea’s victory against Belgium, paired with either a draw or Russia’s win over Algeria, would qualify the team.

“I requested vacation days for the first and third matches to cheer on the team properly, but now I’m planning on cancelling my vacation day and just going to work on Thursday,” said Kim Jung-eun, 39. “I waited four years, but [the match] was dejecting.”

Others were beyond disappointment.

“I welled up with anger and wondered what I was doing, supporting the Korean team in a foreign land, after seeing the first half of the game against Algeria,” said Andrew Kim, a self-described soccer fanatic. “I’ve given up on cheering them on for the third game and am going back to my everyday life.”

Before Korea’s first match on June 17, Koreatown joined in on the excitement as well with special promotions.

“After offering free drinks and meals in case of Korea’s victory, businesses in Koreatown are feeling disappointed,” said Wang Deok-jung, owner of The Dragon Restaurant. “We’re still planning on providing free bowls of black bean noodles if Korea wins in the third game.”

Nonetheless, large-scale viewing parties will continue for Thursday’s game at Wilshire Park Place, Tom’s Urban at L.A. Live, Madang Plaza Shopping Mall and Koreatown Plaza.

Red Tigers President Jerry Won, whose team watches the games at Tom’s Urban, said it’s too early to give up hope.

Going on to the round of 16 may be difficult, but the Red Tigers’ cheers will be loud enough to be delivered to the Korean national team, he said.

Korea’s third match of the World Cup begins at 1 p.m. Thursday against Belgium.