Korea Republic were unlucky not to get at least a share of the spoils when they went down 2-1 to Mexico in their Group F encounter this (Saturday) evening.
The result will naturally delight the hordes of El Tricolor supporters who had seen their side humble Germany in their first outing and now leap to six points at the top of the log.
It wasn’t the greatest of games from a neutral’s point of view but what it lacked in class it made up for in intensity.
(It was also marred by me having to channel hop between the Springbok/England rugby test.)
Mexico scored in the 24th minute when Jang unintentially blocked Guardado’s cross with his arm and Carlos Velas duly dispatched the spot kick.
A terrific save by Hyun-Woo Cho prevented a second goal but it did arrive after the break when Javier Chicharito Hernandez made it 2-0.
Korea got a late one back in extra time: a curling long distance strike by Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur), the goal of the game – one that gave Ochoa no chance.
Although they conceded a 2-1 result, that goal could play a big part in the possible group permutations as goal difference might determine the outcome.
Korea are not yet out of it, by a whisker. They wait anxiously for the imminent kick-off between Germany and Sweden.
They want a Germany win tonight (Saturday) and then in the last round would have to beat the Germans themselves, and pray for Mexico to beat Sweden.
Nothing worse than your fate being in everyone else’s hands.
