Jubilant Koreans end 48-year wait for victory

South Korea 2 Poland

Every dog has its day, as they say in certain Korean culinary circles, and South Korea finally had theirs last night. On their sixth appearance in the World Cup finals, and after 14 failed attempts spread over 48 years, the co-hosts at last recorded a victory, succeeding with considerable panache where their fellow East Asians from China and Japan had earlier failed.

On an evening characterised by hysteria and humidity, South Korea were a credit to their Dutch coach, Guus Hiddink, and fulfilled the boast on one of the banners draped around the Asiad Main Stadium: "Our first winning, made in Pusan." Hwang Sun-Hong and Yoo Sang-Chul cranked up the decibel levels and the heat still further with a goal either side of half-time, and a disappointingly predictable Poland were fortunate not to lose more heavily.

Hiddink was entitled to feel vindicated. Elements in Korea's media, and among the fans, vilified him when results were poor after his arrival 18 months ago. Instead he said: "I feel very humble. My team were magnifico and fought to the limits of their energies. When I took over, people said: 'Just win us one World Cup game'. For them, this might be enough, but not for me or the players."

The former Netherlands coach promised they would "celebrate in our own modest, noble way". In fact, a country-wide party went on into the small hours, the culmination of a day that saw many "Red Devils" assembling nine hours before kick-off. When the bus arrived carrying their team – the "Ultimate Warriors" – the surges and screaming were reminiscent of Beatlemania.

A combination of Korean dynamism and Polish mundanity meant there was never much likelihood of their being disappointed. Poland's coach, Jerzy Engel, had evidently detected an aerial weakness in Hiddink's defence and sent six of his tallest men forward for the long, hoofed ball following the kick-off. Yet as Jerzy Dudek, the Poles' Liverpool goalkeeper, admitted: "They won every header and were better than us all round. The crowd were like a 12th man."

Having failed to convert a couple of half-chances as South Korea's nerves settled, Poland never forced a save from Lee Woon-Jae, whereas Dudek was under mounting pressure. After the opening 20 minutes, South Korea began to play a fluid game, based on speed and skill, as well as showing a hitherto unseen willingness to match a European side in physical terms.

The captain, 33-year-old Hong Myung-Bo, marked his 123rd cap with a masterful display as sweeper. The midfield were forceful in the tackle and thoughtful in distribution. And while the Poles were doubtless relieved to see the back of Hwang, his replacement Ahn Jung-Hwan proved harder to contain with his quick footwork and rasping shots.

South Korea took the lead after Lee Eul-Yong, on the left wing, spotted that Tomasz Hajto had drifted off Hwang, leaving him unmarked 10 yards out. The striker had time to walk the ball in, but took it first-time on the half-volley, beating Dudek by his near post.

Dudek was again helpless shortly after half-time. The impressive Yoo robbed the hapless Hajto and made ground before unleashing a swerving drive from 20 yards that tore past the diving goalkeeper's right hand.

Ahn, scorer of two stunning goals against Scotland last month, then took over, tormenting Poland with pace and trickery. It might easily have finished 5-0 – the score by which Hiddink's Dutch side beat South Korea in France 98 – but no one, bar the small army of Poles, was complaining.

South Korea 2 Poland 0
Hwang Sun-Hong 26, Yoo Sang-Chul 53

MATCH DETAILS

POLAND (4-4-2): Dudek (Liverpool); Hajto (Schalke 04), J Bak (Lens), Waldoch (Schalke 04), Michal Zewlakow (Excelsior Mouscron); Kozminski (Ancona), Kaluzny (Energie Cottbus), Krzynowek (Nuremberg), Swierczewski (Marseilles); Zurawski (Wisla Krakow), Olisadebe (Panathinaikos). Substitutes: Kryszalowicz (Eintracht Frankfurt) for Zurawski, h-t; Klos (Kaiserslautern) for J Bak, 50; Marcin Zewlakow (Excelsior Mouscron) for Kaluzny, 65.

SOUTH KOREA (3-4-3): Lee Woon-Jae (Suwon Bluewings); Choi Jin-Cheul (Chonbuk Hyundai), Hong Myung-Bo (Pohang Steelers), Kim Tae-Young (Chunnam Dragons); Song Chong-Gug (Pusan Icons), Yoo Sang-Chul (Kashiwa Reysol), Kim Nam-Il (Chunnam Dragons), Lee Eul-Yong (Puchon); Park Ji-Sung (Kyoto Purple Sanga), Hwang Sun-Hong (Kashiwa Reysol), Seol Ki-Hyeon (Anderlecht). Substitutes: Ahn Jung-Hwan (Perugia) for Hwan Sun-Hong, 50; Lee Chun-Soo (Ulsan Hyundai) for Yoo Sang-Chul, 51; Cha Doo-Ri (Korea University) for Seol Ki-Hyeon, 88.

Referee: O Ruiz (Colombia).

Bookings: Poland: Hajto, Swierczewski. South Korea: Park Ji-Sung.

Attendance: 55,000.