Taegeuk Women team’s remarkable first win at World Cup finals

Soccer commentator Lee Young-pyo, who is as skillful in talking as in defense in soccer, mumbled at the moment of overflowing excitement. He said, “Well, do we call it Shootering?”

A beautiful cross kicked by Kim Soo-yeon at 33rd minute in the second half made it into the goal. It was confusing a bit whether she intended to kick centering, whether it was just a fluke, or whether it was due to highly skillful shooting, but it should not matter. The goal enabled Korean women’s soccer team to garner a thrilling upset win 2-1 against Spain and to achieve the feat of its first win at World Cup finals, and paved the way for its first ever advance to the round of 16 teams at a World Cup. Koreans are truly proud of women’s soccer team who achieved the “Miracle of Ottawa.”

Korean men’s soccer team had its first win and first advance to the found of 16 teams (eventually semifinals) at the 2002 World Cup, some 48 years since its first participation at World Cup finals in Switzerland in 1954. The women’s team achieved the feat in just 12 years. The women’s team ranked third at the U-20 World Cup and acquired the championship title at the U-17 World Cup in 2010. In the FIFA rankings, the women’s team ranks 18th, while the men’s team ranks 58th. Now, Korean males are poised to be led by females in soccer as well.

In Korea, there still is strong perception that soccer is men’s sport, but in the U.S. where enthusiastic soccer moms abound, one can often see female students energetically play soccer. The U.S. ranks first in women’s soccer. All soccer teams ranking 10th or higher are advanced countries or soccer powerhouses, except North Korea (ranking ninth). The U.S. and Germany, the strongest teams in women’s soccer, have 1 million soccer players. Japan also has more than 36,000 female soccer players. Korea only has 1,705 female players including those at elementary and middle schools, which illustrates the dearth of players. Thursday’s win is all the more valuable because the team managed to achieve the win despite such unfavorable environment.

Team Korea will have its match in the round of 16 against France at 5 a.m. on Monday. Thirteen years ago, Taegeuk Warriors (males’ team) beat Spain in penalty shootouts at the quarterfinal match in Gwangju, Korea and advanced to the semifinal in a dramatic win. Koreans hope to see the touching drama in which the entire population was thrilled and tremendously excited to watch Hong Myung-bo’s finishing goal all over again this time around. It is hoped that Taegeuk Women scored a goal of hope that would console the Korean public, who have become accustomed to checking the number of MERS patients every morning these days. Dae… Han Min Guk (Republic of Korea)!

eligius@donga.com