WORLD CUP NEWS

World Cup Results: United States 1-1 South Korea, Mathis goal keeps U.S. alive; Portugal 4-0 Poland, Pauleta hat trick leads rebounding Portuguese side; Belgium 1-1- Tunisia, Africans fight it out for share of points, and more…
June 11, 2002 - STM Staff

United States 1-1- South Korea
Daegu, South Korea

The United States were not just playing eleven men of South Korea, they were fighting an entire nation. Yet, we survived and live to fight another day - Poland beware. Another brilliant start was punctuated by 70 minutes of packing eleven into their own half. This was the story of the United States recent 1-1- tie with 2002 World Cup co-hosts South Korea.

MetroStars forward Clint Mathis scored in his first World Cup start in the 24th minute finishing a lovely through ball that split the South Korean defense. Mathis made no mistake with the finish, collecting the ball coolly and sending it skimming into the near post. All credit to midfielder John O'Brien who made the assist out of nothing. He collected the ball in midfielder, ran toward goal, and picked out Mathis with pinpoint accuracy.

Team captain Claudio Reyna started in his first match as well, but failed to impress. The majority of his possession play was negative, often playing a pass short when it needed long, to feet when it needed space. Reyna was clearly not match fit or sharp. -- United States possession was little to non-existent after goal, and the side slipped into a defensive shell choosing to go on the counter rather than take the game tot he Koreans.

Second-half substitute Ahn Jung Hwan sent the 60,000 Koreans packed into the stadium in Daegu into sheer pandemonium when he capitalized on a defensive mistake by goalkeeper Brad Friedel to draw the hosts level. South Korean Lee sent a cross into the box, Friedel hesitated to come off his line, then retreated, and Ahn beat Agoos to the header and sent it spinning into the right far post.

The United States will now face Poland in their last match needing only a draw to see them through. Heady days indeed and what seems like a lifetime away since France 98'.

South Korea has a decidedly harder go of it in their final match against a very desperate Portuguese side who needs a win to advance to the knockout stages.
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Portugal 4-0 Poland
Jeonju, South Korea

Portugal showed their true colors with a 4-0 thrashing of Poland in their second Group D encounter. The heavily favored Portuguese lost in a stunning 3-2 upset to the United States both nation's opening match.

Forward Pauleta was simply on fire, scoring the first Portuguese hat trick in World Cup history since Eusebio did it in England in 19966 against, ironically, South Korea.

Each of his three goals was finely crafted, showing a wide array of dribbling, vision, and technical skills. He notched strikes over line in the 4th, 65th, and 77th minutes. Second half substitute Rui Costa added another goal in the 86th minute, finishing a convincing performance by the Portuguese.

Poland is officially eliminated with the loss and will have to go back to the drawing board. The old guard is clearly done and Polish soccer needs an injection of youth and vision.

Portugal on the other hand will have a nail biter against South Korea in their final Group D match. With the co-hosts needing only a tie to advance.

Belgium 1-1- Tunisia
Oita, Japan

Tunisa fought their way to a tough 1-1 draw with European nation Belgium in a Group H match in Oita.

Belgium was eliminated in France 98' with three ties and is on the verge of repeating the same inauspicious feat if they cannot find their way to victory in their final group match against Russia, who themselves are still fighting for a ticket nit the Round of 16.

Forward Marc Wilmotts scored first for Belgium in the 13th minute of play tucking a way a ball crossed onto the six-yard line.

Tunisa scored a deserved equalizer in the 17th minute when Raouf Bouzaiene curled a beautiful free kick, which bent and dipped around the wall, then slipped into the left post side netting. No chance for Belgium goalkeeper Geert de Vlieger who made a diving attempt to save the goal bound blast.

RESULTS & STANDINGS