The South Koreans, who imposed themselves (2-1), had to wait for the result of the other match of group H, between Uruguay and Ghana (2-0), to validate their post thanks to their best number of goals scored.
by Hortense leblanc
For Heung-Min Son, tears of sadness have turned into tears of joy. Despite a victory against Germany, South Korea had been eliminated from the group’s group phase in Russia in 2018. This time, Taeguk warriors can exult. Their victory of correctly against Portugal (2-1), combined with the “limited” victory of Uruguay against Ghana (2-0), allows them to reach the knockout stages of the Qatari World Cup-just like their opponents From the day, already qualified before kick -off, which finish first in their group.
Gathered in the central round, a mobile phone in hand, the South Koreans had to wait to celebrate their victory against Portugal. The goal of Hee-Chan Hwang, a few minutes earlier, in additional time, allowed them to glimpse a qualification, but it also depended on the result of the meeting between Uruguay and Ghana. While the Celeste led 2-0 in front of the Black Stars, the Tigers of Asia had to hope that the scoring remains there, and that Uruguay no longer marks, under penalty of passing them in front of the ranking thanks to a better difference in goals.
heung-min celebrated in heroes
During the overtime of additional time granted in this match, the South Koreans and their supporters retained their breath in the Education City stadium, especially since the opportunities multiplied in Al-Wakrah. But at the final whistle between Uruguay and Ghana, Taeguk warriors were able to let their joy burst: for the third time in their history – after 2002 and 2010 -, here they are for the round of 16 of a World Cup . A few kilometers away, the Uruguayans, they were disappointed, eliminated for having scored two less goals than their competitors, when they had played the phase with direct elimination of the last three World Cups.
This victory has all the more flavor for the South Koreans as they acquired it in pain, at the end of the match, while the Portuguese had dominated the second period. Led at the score from the fifth minute, after a goal from Ricardo Horta for Seleçao, they never abdicated. They equalized thanks to Young-Gwon Kim (27
heung-min sound, which had previously made a lot of bad choices, has turned into a hero: leaving against a last Portuguese corner, he rose more than half of the ball to the foot, before to serve Hee-Chan Hwang with a millimeter pass. “Four days ago, we did not deserve to lose [against Ghana]. Against Portugal, when there is a chance, you have to be clinical, that’s what we have done. It is for That everyone loves football … Little teams can win a match at any time, today it’s a good example, “reacted the decisive passer.
” Optimistic football “rewarded
On the bench or in the gallery – hence Paulo Bento, the Portuguese coach of South Korea, suspended, followed the match – the emotion was palpable. “It’s fantastic! It is a feeling of accomplished duty, reacted his assistant, Sergio Costa, at the end of the match, at the microphone of Beinsports. I think we deserved it. From the first match of this World Cup , we presented an optimistic football, with action. And when I tell us, it is us: Koreans, the people of Korea. “
The Portuguese and the South Koreans will know their opponents for the round of 16 after the last games of the evening, in group G, between Cameroon and Brazil, and between Serbia and Switzerland. But the South Korean ambitions will not stop at this stage of the competition. “Portugal has great potential, a very organized team, with individual quality … We have the soul, the heart, the quality. We will see how far we can go, but you can count on us” , assured Sergio Costa.