Before the game, I admit that I had a very low expectation of Togo. As such, my expectation was a thorough win for the South Koreans. This game however was not an easy win, at least before Togo was down to 10 men. To my great surprising, just like how Trinidad & Tobago performed against Sweden earlier, Togo faught valiantly and could possibly defeat the Korean if it wasn't for the red card. If Togo had a full team, Korea could have struggled a lot.
I'm not questioning the booking but still, it seemed to me that the Koreans were out to prove that 2002 was a sheer luck instead of otherwise. Togo seemed dangerous and from my point of view, just like me, the South Koreans underestimated the African nation and almost paid the price for it. They should have paid the price but they got away with full points.
Regardless of that, I now know who I'm supporting within Group G. I feel the guilt of underestimating Togo and now on, I'm rooting for Togo for any match within Group G. I wish them the best of luck.
dude.... you are not being fair... sometimes it is also a matter of which team can outlast the other one and wait for the right opportunity. could be the goalie standing too far away from the goal line, or the defender losing its speed to defend. The diff b/w japan and korea, is that korea lasted the entire 90 min while japan couldn't. one who laugh last laugh best. I think Togo worked hard too, but i think korea just worked harder and converted the opportunity when it arised.
By , at 14 June, 2006 03:51
earthnic, I have to agree with your assessment on the Koreans. I was rooting for them as the Asian team that I'm gonna support, but they were only a shadow of their 2002 side.
I remembered how impressed I was with their attacking waves then, and with their speed. Now, in yesterday's game, they lacked both. Especially in the first half.
I suspect that Togo would have been able to upset the Koreans had it not been for the red card. Their attack looked more dangerous. On the plus side, pretty boy Ahn Jung Hwan was pretty good when he came on for the Koreans. Gave them more zip.
By sigma, at 14 June, 2006 04:43
dave, yeah I do agree it's also about outlasting the other team. That what happened in the JP-AU match. But, with a red card, it was not a fair match for Togo. It was a 10 men vs full team after all. If Korean had won 11vs11, then I'd have no qualm.
By __earth, at 14 June, 2006 22:33
