For Heung-min Son, tears of sadness turned into tears of joy. In 2018, despite a victory against Germany, South Korea was eliminated from the group stage of the World Cup in Russia. This time the Taegeuk Warriors can exult. Their narrow victory against Portugal (2-1), combined with the “limited” victory of Uruguay against Ghana (2-0), allows them to reach the round of 16 of the Qatari World Cup – just like their opponents of the day, already qualified before kick-off, who finished first in their group.
Gathered in the central circle, a mobile phone in hand, the South Koreans had to wait to celebrate their victory against Portugal. Hee-chan Hwang’s goal a few minutes earlier, in added time, gave them a glimpse of qualification, but this also depended on the result of the meeting between Uruguay and Ghana. While La Celeste led 2-0 ahead of the Black Stars, the Asian Tigers had to hope that the score remained there, and that Uruguay no longer scored, otherwise they would pass them in the standings thanks to a better difference of goals.
Heung-min Son celebrated as a hero
During the eight minutes of extra time granted in this match, the South Koreans and their fans held their breath in the Education City stadium, especially as the chances multiplied in Al-Wakrah. But at the final whistle between Uruguay and Ghana, the Taegeuk Warriors were able to let their joy burst: for the third time in their history – after 2002 and 2010 – they have qualified for the round of 16 of a World Cup. . A few kilometers away, the Uruguayans, they showed themselves disappointed, eliminated for having scored two goals less than their competitors, when they had played in the knockout phase 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, when the Portuguese had dominated the second period. Led in the score from the fifth minute, after a goal by Ricardo Horta for the Seleçao, they never gave up. They equalized thanks to Young-gwon Kim (27e), then the two selections pushed to take the advantage, often lacking precision in the finishes.
Heung-min Son, who had hitherto made a lot of bad choices, turned into a hero: starting on the counter after a last Portuguese corner, he went up more than half of the field with the ball at his foot, before serving Hee -chan Hwang with a pinpoint pass. “Four days ago, we didn’t deserve to lose [contre le Ghana]. Against Portugal, when there is a chance, you have to be clinical, that’s what we were able to do. That’s why everyone loves football… Small teams can win a game at any time, today is a good example of that.”reacted the decisive passer.
“Optimistic football” rewarded
On the bench or in the stands – from where Paulo Bento, the Portuguese coach of South Korea, suspended, followed the match – the emotion was palpable. ” It’s fantastic ! It’s a feeling of accomplishment, reacted his deputy, Sergio Costa, after the match, at the microphone of BeINSports. I think we deserved it. From the first match of this World Cup, we presented optimistic football, with action. And when I say us, it’s us: Koreans, the people of Korea. »
Portuguese and South Koreans will know their opponents for the round of 16 after the last matches 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’ll see how far we can go, but you can count on us.” assured Sergio Costa.