Hasan Sukur (spelling?) set the record for fastest goal scored in World Cup history. He also had the most disappointing tournament of any Turkish player, IMO, perhaps because he had high expectations thrust on him. Speaking of expectations, by how far did both of these teams exceed all expectations? Both of Turkey’s losses were one goal affairs against potential champion Brazil. Korea knocked out Portugal, Poland, Italy and Spain (albeit with some refereeal assistance), tied US, and lost to Germany by the slimmest of margins. Their fans were again delirious throughout the match.
And both teams showed good sportsmanship at the end of the match.
The only thing that bothers me today is the border skirmish between the North and South Koreans. Maybe the Northerners are a bit jealous and had to get a poke in?
Saw it on tape delay today. I thought Korea looked out of it, not like they did in all the other games I saw. Their intensity was missing, didn’t seem like the same team that played Italy, the best game of the tournament I thought , that I saw anyway (err…except for the outcome:().
The keeper for Turkey was very good, and stuck it out until the end, even though he didn’t want to. Boy, that was kinda weird.
So Shibb, did you catch any games live when you were over there?
I really only saw the second half, and Rustu(?) made some great saves. Several of the late shots on goal by Korea were blasts from just outside the box that he had to pick out as they twisted around and behind his defenders. When they showed the replays from behind the goal he always seemed to be screened from the ball.
I’d guess that going down quickly, 1-0 then 2-1 and 3-1 would tend to deflate you a bit. It was nice to see a game where offense was emphasized over defense. But that first goal was a huge mental mistake, the kind Korea was not making previously. And Ahn is a joy to watch whenever he is near the ball.
And of course I caught the games, I went to Korea solely to watch the USA in the World Cup. It was a huge amount of fun. I also ate tons of kimchi and drank more than my share of Cass beer. Want to join us for Germany in 2006?
Sounds tempting, but I have a feeling I won’t be able to make it. I do have a cousin in Frankfurt right now, but she will be back here by then I’m sure, unless the German guy she’s marrying wants to live there instead of here. But I’ll keep that month open in case.
