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Football / World Cup USA '94: Korean fightback unnerves Germans

Monday 27 June 1994 23:02 BST
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Germany. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

South Korea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

GERMANY, with two goals from the predatory Jurgen Klinsmann, overcame a spirited comeback from South Korea at a sweltering Cotton Bowl in Dallas yesterday to finish top of Group C and seal a second-round match against one of the third-placed teams in Chicago on Saturday.

However, the defending champions had to survive a torrid second half, as their fit and eager opponents came back from 3-0 down. The Germans also lost their captain Lothar Matthaus, who went off in the second half with a foot injury that required stitches.

Germany looked to be heading for the crushing win demanded by their coach, Berti Vogts, when they coasted to a three-goal half-time lead. But South Korea, who snatched a draw against Spain with two goals in the last six minutes of their opening game, rocked the Germans when they scored twice in 11 minutes early in the second half, through Hwang Sun Hong and Hong Myung Bo.

It was the first time Germany had conceded two goals in a World Cup match since losing the 1986 final to Argentina. South Korea almost snatched what would have been a deserved draw, but Bodo Illgner tipped a late shot from Ko Jeong Woon over the bar.

Klinsmann had earlier taken his tally to four goals in three games with strikes after 12 and 37 minutes - making him the tournament's current top scorer. His recalled striking partner, Karlheinz Riedle, ended his eight-month scoring drought with a 20th minute goal.

Germany will be without the versatile Stefan Effenberg in the second round, after he picked up his second booking of the tournament.

Germany, roundly criticised for lifeless performances in their first two matches, responded with their best football of the tournament in the first half, as Thomas Hassler teased the Korean defence with his crosses.

Klinsmann scored his first when Hassler swept in a cross which dropped just behind the Monaco striker, who swivelled and fired the waist-high ball into the net. He claimed his second when the Koreans failed to clear another Hassler cross, and the ball dropped perfectly for Klinsmann.

Riedle, recalled after being dropped against Spain, scored for the first time since a 5-0 rout of Uruguay in October when he knocked home a rebound off the post in the 20th minute.

South Korea pulled one back when Hwang ran on to a lob from Park Jung Bae. Hong added the second with a rifling 30 yard shot. As the Germans wilted in temperatures of 120F, Illgner was forced to make several fine saves in the final quarter of an hour.

GERMANY (1-3-1-3-2): Illgner (Colgone); Matthaus (Bayern Munich); Berthold (VfB Stuttgart), Kohler (Juventus), Brehme (Kaiserslautern); Buchwald (VfB Stuttgart); Effenberg (Fiorentina), Sammer (Borussia Dortmund), Hassler (Roma); Klinsmann (Monaco); Riedle (Borussia Dortmund). Substitutes: Moller (Juventus) for Matthaus, 64. Helmer (Bayern Munich) for Effenberg, 75.

SOUTH KOREA (1-4-3-2): Choi In Young (Hyundai Horang-I); Hong Myong Bo (POSCO Atoms); Kim Pan Keun (Lucky Goldstar Cheetahs), Park Jung Bae (Daewoo Royals), Shin Hong Gi (Hyundai Horang-I), Choi Young Il (Hyundai Horang-I); Lee Young Jin (Lucky Goldstar Cheetahs), Kim Joo Sung (VfL Bochum), Ko Jeong Woon (Ilhwa Chonma); Hwang Sun Hong, Cho Jin Ho (both POSCO Atoms). Substitutes: Chung Jong Son (Hyundai Horang-I) for Lee Young Jin, 38; Lee Woon Jae (Kyunghee University) for Choi In Young, h-t; Seo Jung Won (Lucky Goldstar Cheetahs) for Cho Jin Ho, h-t.

Referee: J Quiniou (France).

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