MNA – Two shots taking vicious deflection off
defenders inspired South Korea into a spirit-raising 2-0 win over Iran in a
football friendly in Seoul Wednesday.
The victory was a warm welcome to the former Netherlands manager Dick
Advocaat, who took over from compatriot Jo Bonfrere last month, becoming the
third Dutchman in less than five years to take charge of South Korea.
The home team had a dream start as Cho Won-hee opened the scoring in the
first minute when his drive strayed into the net after hitting defender
Mohammad Nosrati’s leg.
Iran could level the match in the 23rd minute. Midfielder Ali Karimi, Asian
Player of the Year 2004, who rounded his marker in the box, saw his cross
change direction with a home player’s hand, but the referee ruled out a spot-kick.
The friendly had a happy ending for Koreans, who doubled the scoring one
minute from normal time. A shot from Kim Jin-kyu passed above the advancing
keeper Ebrahim Mirzapur’s hands after getting another deflection from
Italy’s Serie A side Messina fullback Rahman Rezaii.
Both Iran and South Korea have already won tickets to Germany, where the
2006 World Cup finals are hosted.
