South Korea faces more sleepless nights, only this time for a very different reason. After their first World Cup victory over Poland the public were in party mode. Now no one will be able to rest because of nerves ahead of Sunday's meeting with Portugal. In the space of a few hours yesterday, the bubble of optimism burst.
Guus Hiddink's players need a draw to be sure of reaching the second round but Portugal's 4-0 hammering of Poland later yesterday suggests the Euro 2000 semi-finalists have run into form. The Koreans refer to this as the "Real Group of Death", and now fear they may be suffocated. The team's body language at the final whistle told of grave disappointment.
A mixture of poor finishing and Brad Friedel's inspired goalkeeping made it easier for the US to capitalise on the Koreans' slip. Bruce Arena's team require only a draw against Poland to progress, whereas defeat here would at least have left them in search of a win.
Korean fans arrived here with "3-0" painted on their faces, confident that qualification was their destiny. Suddenly, in no small part due to Friedel, they are wondering whether their team will fail.
The Blackburn goalkeeper not only saved a penalty but also made three other excellent stops. When he was left stranded in the 89th minute, Choi Yong-soo somehow missed an open goal. The fans were stunned into relative silence.
The rueful expressions may have also reflected dismay at failing to win a game that also carried huge significance for political reasons. Some locals resent the presence of 37,000 US troops as a deterrent against North Korea, and an incident at the recent Winter Olympics stoked up anti-US sentiment.
South Korea's speedskater Kim Dong-sung lost a gold medal for blocking America's Apolo Anton Ohno, who was handed first place. Hiddink's players have not forgotten. After Ahn Jung-hwan equalised, they ran to the corner flag and mimicked skaters.
The World Cup's biggest security operation had been mobilised but rival fans mingled happily, and clapping followed the US national anthem. "Ever since we got here the South Koreans have been very friendly," said Friedel, "Always waving, not hostile at all."
The mood at the start was manic as Korea dominated and Seol Ki-hyeon wasted two chances. The home country's high-pressure approach had the US in trouble but Arena's team broke away to score.
John O'Brien created the opportunity with a strong run and fine pass which Clint Mathis finished expertly. When Korea were awarded a penalty before half-time, Jeff Agoos pulling the shirt of Hwang Sun-hong, Friedel saved from Lee Eul-yong. He made further saves in the face of heavy pressure after the interval.
But just when it seemed the hosts might have run out of ideas, with Claudio Reyna doing a good midfield job for the US, Ahn headed in Lee Eul-yong's free-kick.
They should have won through Choi, but the substitute wasted his chance to play the hero. The two teams are now on the same points but the US sense they are nearly there; Korea are worried their dream will soon be dead.
Guardian Service
