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Unstoppable Korean Legend

Posted June. 17, 2002 23:02,   

한국어

“To create another legend”

The Korean national team will be challenging the final 8 against Italy after advancing to the second round after 48 years of appearing on the World Cup.

Ahead of the game of the final 18 for the 2002 Korea-Japan FIFA World Cup on June 18 at 8:30 in Daejeon, the Korean national team is determined to put on a game of no regrets.

Italy is a strong team with won three World Cup championships under its belt and is ranked 6th by FIFA. However, Korea is on the rise and unstoppable with 2 wins and 1 draw and has beaten Portugal, ranked 5th. Gus Hidink, head coach for the Korean team, said on June 17, “We accomplished our first goal of reaching the second round, so we can comfortably play the game without anxiety to win the game.”

Meanwhile, the game of the second round between the U.S. and Mexico held earlier in the day, the U.S. pulled off an unexpected 2:1 win with a goal by Brian McBride 8 minutes in to the first half and the second goal 20 minutes into the second half by Landon Donovan. The U.S. came near elimination in the first round with a loss against Poland in its last game but came back to life as Korea beat Portugal. The U.S. put on fast-paced attack against its North American rival Mexican to advance to the final 8. The U.S. will play against Germany in Ulsan on June 21 for the final 4.