Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Archived Boards => 2010 World Cup - South Africa => Topic started by: Bitter on June 11, 2010, 06:44:39 PM
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http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061459/preview.html
"The next game is always the most important." Coaches and footballers alike have been using this old adage to emphasise their focus on an upcoming match for decades. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, the phrase "the first game is the most important" is arguably more appropriate for the likes of Korea Republic and Greece, who go head to head on Saturday.
Considering the strength of the other two teams in Group B, Argentina and Nigeria, this clash could well prove decisive. La Albiceleste are undoubted group favourites, while the other three will all feel they are capable of claiming second spot and a place in the last 16.
The match
Korea Republic–Greece, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth (Port Elizabeth Stadium), Saturday 12 June, 13.30 (local time)
Although Saturday's clash will be the first time these two sides have met at a FIFA World Cup, there have been two previous encounters between the two nations. History favours the Asians, who ran out 1-0 friendly winners in February 2007, following a 1-1 draw in January 2006.
Korea Republic were the only team to remain undefeated in Asian Zone qualifying, with seven victories and a draw, and as a result go into the tournament full of confidence despite losing each of their final warm-up matches 1-0, against Belarus and Spain. The Greeks, meanwhile, took the long road to South Africa. The 2004 European champions had to come through a tricky play-off tie with Ukraine to book their place at the finals.
Players to watch
Ji-Sung Park vs Georgios Karagounis
Ji-Sung Park is the undisputed star of the Korea Republic team. Thanks to his exploits with Premier League powerhouse Manchester United, the attacking all-rounder is an idol in his homeland and in 2008 became the first ever Asian player to win the UEFA Champions League.
The 29-year-old faces an intriguing midfield battle with Georgios Karagounis at the Port Elizabeth Stadium. The Panathinaikos captain is hailed as the heartbeat of the Greece side and will be doing his best to break down the Koreans' attacking endeavours with another typically industrious display.
The stat
0 – Greece crashed out of their only FIFA World Cup to date in 1994 with zero points and zero goals. In the USA they lost 4-0 to Argentina, 2-0 to Nigeria and 4-0 to Bulgaria. They will now be hoping to put things right against the Albiceleste and the Super Eagles at South Africa 2010.
What they said
"Countries like South Korea have great team spirit and plenty of passion. We won't disappoint the Greek people. You feel as though you are among the best teams in the world, and that's no small thing." Otto Rehhagel, Greece coach
"In our eyes, the match against Greece is the most important of the group stage. If we can win that, we'll have the opportunity to play differently against Argentina and Nigeria." Lee-Young-Pyo, Korea Republic defender
Voice of the fans
"I can hardly wait to see who wins this game. The winner of this match will go through to the next round with Argentina." FIFA.com user jungho_hwang.
The question
Can the Greeks score their first ever FIFA World Cup goal or even pick up a maiden victory in only their second appearance on the biggest stage of all?
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JUNGSOO GOALLLL
defense cauht napping :rotfl:
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Plenty empty seats.
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De Koreans breakin down the Greeks
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JUNGSOO GOALLLL
defense cauht napping :rotfl:
Nah d commentator say is nerves :rotfl:
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I cyah tell them Koreans apart boi... except by they numbers the only one ah kinda make-out is Ji-Sung Park and if it wasn't for he # it would ah be difficult
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DAMN chip it over the goalie
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I cyah tell them Koreans apart boi... except by they numbers the only one ah kinda make-out is Ji-Sung Park and if it wasn't for he # it would ah be difficult
A friend of mines use 2 say dey could change d entire team 2nd half and we would not know. Mind u dey also say all blacks look alike.
How dat eh score lawdddddddddd
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You does have to wonder how Greece win a Euro Cup eh.
Korea should have done put this game away. You know they will be running just as hard in the 90th minute too...
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Why them commentators being diplomatic. Allyuh doh want the best team to win. Allyuh want England to beat down the US. Yuh eh go loss yuh wuk if you say that... I think ::)
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cbc broadcast
GREEKS are displeased with each other :rotfl:
never under estimate your opponent
you won EURO in 2004 or qualifiers dis is de big show now
nice clip of the GREEK GOALIE pushing his team mate as he is mouthing him off
PRESSURE
GO KOREAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
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if South Korea can hold on Yonge Street in North York will be shutdown :rotfl:
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You does have to wonder how Greece win a Euro Cup eh.
Yuh understand??!!....I saying the same thing just a while ago, they looking clueless in this game....I really hope Greece didn't underestimate South Korea cuz dem does run from minute 1 to minute 90 plus and more if necessary....
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I cyah tell them Koreans apart boi... except by they numbers the only one ah kinda make-out is Ji-Sung Park and if it wasn't for he # it would ah be difficult
i just imagining trying to follow the game plan as ah greek player..
"Chun Yo Lee like to go out on the wing, and make sure an mark Lee Young Pyo when he cutting on the inside. Cha Du Ri have no left foot"
??? ??? ??? ???
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If Korea didn't score first and early Greece woulda try to lull everybody to sleep. But now they actually have to play and they cutass book.
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GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL
GREECE going home pack your bags
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Hard luck dey Greece.
The World Cup drought continues...
The mistakes by Greece in the midfield and back line are shocking.
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korea rell mashing greece up!!!
goalllll!
greece never win a game in the world cup...EVER!!!
history not changing today
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KOREA!!!!...
I always liked them since they tied Spain ah think back in 1994. They were 2-0 down I think and they came back and tied Spain....sweet game...
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KOREA!!!!...
I always liked them since they tied Spain ah think back in 1994. They were 2-0 down I think and they came back and tied Spain....sweet game...
Yeah, they nearly poison Germany in that same WC. Them Germans come off the field relieved when the final whistle blow.
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does Goal Difference count in determining first and second place in 1st round?
or is it head to head results between two teams (too lazy to look it up)
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KOREA!!!!...
I always liked them since they tied Spain ah think back in 1994. They were 2-0 down I think and they came back and tied Spain....sweet game...
Yeah, they nearly poison Germany in that same WC. Them Germans come off the field relieved when the final whistle blow.
Yeah ah forgot about that one.... :beermug:
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GEKAS field goal a la Roberto Baggio :rotfl:
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Greece like they wake up.
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good save
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I liking korea...
being up 2-0 they still keeping pressure up...
thoroughly respect their style today!!
:beermug:
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Well done South Korea
Look at soar faces on the Greek Bench
somebody suck salt ::)
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Korea is just a better team. Discipline, Fitness, Speed and Skill just better.
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Korea is just a better team. Discipline, Fitness, Speed and Skill just better.
I know the ranking would have factored in more than what you've noted here but FIFA have Korea ranked at 47 and Greece at 13 right now....looking at the game today, I would think its the other way around....
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Korea is just a better team. Discipline, Fitness, Speed and Skill just better.
I know the ranking would have factored in more than what you've noted here but FIFA have Korea ranked at 47 and Greece at 13 right now....looking at the game today, I would think its the other way around....
Greece weren't competitive . One maybe 2 decent attempts at goal.
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Greece=worst team on display thus far.
It was said that the Greeks would be motivated by the economic and public admin catastrophe at home. That they would want to shake off the negatives that have been pinned on them by others in Europe ... but they were disinterested and disjointed. Sadly, someone is sure to say King Otto is to old to have made it happen.
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You does have to wonder how Greece win a Euro Cup eh.
ENTTTTTTTTTTTTT
COSIGNNNNNNNNNN
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You does have to wonder how Greece win a Euro Cup eh.
Theodoros Zagorakis.
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I feeling like Korea go give Argentina a lil thunder.
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I feeling like Korea go give Argentina a lil thunder.
I hope so :beermug: ENT