Korea lost against Uruguay

I'll never forget the game last night. It was so tight!! I thought it'll be a tie game between the 2 countries but Uruguay is really a strong country. They were able to goal another one before the 90 minute game ended. The game was really emotional. Uruguay team was very happy while Korea was sad. I also witnessed how Cha Duri cried. He's so emotional! But then, when I heard the commentator said to Korea, "It's time to say goodbye to World Cup," I really want to kick him on his face!

Anyways, Korea did not qualify for the quarter finals! T.T

A very emotional Cha Duri.

The Korean people were also very emotional last night.

Tonight is a game between Germany and England. Who do you think will win?

Park primed for Messi revenge

Park Ji-Sung had written the script. Millions of South Koreans had read and devoured it. It was 27 May 2009. It was the night of the UEFA Champions League final. It was a game the Manchester United winger, who had been cruelly denied the chance to become the first Asian to appear in the prestigious fixture 12 months previously, vowed to headline.

Just two minutes in, his legions of devotees were on the edge of delirium. Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes had spilled Cristiano Ronaldo's shot into the path of Park. Atypically, the Korea Republic captain panicked. The chance went begging. Park's thoughts turned instantly to making amends. A diminutive Argentinian had other ideas. His name was Lionel Messi. His performance inspired Barcelona to a 2-0 victory.

Park and Messi will reunite in Soccer City today. This time they will be in the colours of their respective countries. This time the former is determined to emerge a winner, despite his side being overwhelming underdogs against a star-stacked Albiceleste side that includes the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year. "Argentina are the best team in our group," began Park. "They have a lot of top international players. People are saying they could make the Final. Of course there is a difference in standard between the two teams but the unexpected can happen in this World Cup, and that is what we are looking to do."

"The unexpected can happen in this World Cup. I think there will be a shock. We are playing to win."
Korea Republic's Park Ji-Sung ahead of the game with Argentina

Korea Republic have reason to be optimistic. They are fresh from a 2-0 win over Greece in which Park scored a sumptuous individual goal en route to the Budweiser Man of the Match Award. "If we play as a team like we did against Greece, we're capable of getting a result," said the 29-year-old. "There may be differences in our ability, but I guarantee we will give it all that we have. If the flow of the game goes in our direction, I think there will be a shock for a lot of people. We are playing to win."

Another intriguing subplot to the match is Park squaring off against his friend and former United colleague Carlos Tevez. "We have played together and I think it is great that we will play against each other," said the former Kyoto Sanga and PSV Eindhoven player. "But this is not just a friendly, this is the greatest place to play football. We are both adversaries for now and will both be doing our best to win the game." If Park can get one over on his Argentinian mate, and avenge his last face-off with Messi, those South Koreans who anticipated euphoria 13 months ago in Rome will explode into a significantly greater state of ecstasy in Johannesburg.

Kick-off Ball Contest

Gosh~ I want to join this contest!!!!

For the first time at a FIFA competition, FIFA will be giving away the actual Official Match Ball used for the kick-off of each FIFA World Cup™ match*!

What is the kick-off Ball?

A very special adidas Jabulani will make its debut at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. At the beginning of each match, the referee will carry the kick-off Ball to the pitch where it will be used during the match.

How can you get one?

Just answer quiz questions relating to FIFA World Cup teams correctly and you could win this priceless Official Match Ball. Each winner will receive their special used kick-off Ball with a certificate of authenticity following the conclusion of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.*

How do I take part?

1. Follow any FIFA World Cup match as the action unfolds.

2. Login or register with the FIFA.com Club and access the quiz on FIFA.com. There will be one quiz per FIFA World Cup match.

3. Answer all five quiz questions—and answer them correctly—and you will be eligible** to win the kick-off Ball!

There are no chances to repeat the quiz! All users have only one chance to answer the quiz questions, so be sure to try your best.

All registered members of the FIFA.com Club can participate.

* The kick-off Balls of the Opening and Final Match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup will not be given away. Instead, the quiz winners of these two matches will receive a Jabulani football that was used during these aforementioned matches.

** If more than one user answers all five questions correctly, FIFA will select the winner at random from the full list of eligible users.

What are the quiz deadlines?

The quiz will begin at kick-off for each match and will remain open until 30 mins after each match has concluded.

Don't forget, to be eligible you must be registered with the FIFA.com Club. See www.fifa.com/theclub for how to register.

Ki: The Korean Gerrard

It is not just suspected but taken for granted that a youngster from Korea Republic will use the FIFA World Cup™ to catapult himself into the global spotlight. Kim Joo-Sung did so at Mexico 1986 and was succeeded at the ensuing five editions by Hong Myung-Bo, Lee Woon-Jae, Lee Dong-Gook, Park Ji-Sung and Park Chu-Young respectively. Midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng, to those who have witnessed his sharp reading of the game, passing and free-kick expertise, is poised to continue that trend at South Africa 2010.

It was something that was unforeseen ten years ago, when Ki was a run-of-the-mill apprentice in Korea Republic’s U-12 set-up. However, aged 13, he decided to learn his trade in Australia. There, the Gwangju native, who turns 21 on Sunday, spent his time improving his distribution and, especially, refining a set-piece technique that would help him become one of the eminent dead-ball specialists in Asia.

I’m neither a defensive midfielder who fights for the ball with tough tackles, nor an attacking midfielder who plays behind strikers. My style is more like those of Andrea Pirlo or Xabi Alsonso.
Ki Sung-Yueng

“I’ve have been confident in my free-kicks since I was a boy,” said Ki. “And all the time I followed the English Premiership, which was huge in Australia, I could learn from those players. I thought I should play like them, especially Steven Gerrard of Liverpool, in order to succeed. And I spent quite a lot of time practicing free-kicks.”

Ki, who is nicknamed ‘Kirrard’ after his idol, demonstrated this aptitude during Korea Republic’s successful qualifying campaign for South Africa 2010. In a crucial encounter with Iran last February, he stunned the Azadi with an audacious free-kick from 40 metres that Seyed Rahmati barely managed to parry away, before setting up Park Ji-Sung’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw with another set-piece in the closing minutes. Ki had already risen to prominence in September 2008, when he scored his first international goal: a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Korea DPR that denied Ri Myong-Guk a seventh successive clean sheet.

One down, one to go
It was not all plain sailing for Ki upon his return from Down Under, though. Although began his professional career at FC Seoul in 2006, the promising central midfielder initially struggled to break into the first team and, at international level, was forced to operate as a centre-back during the AFC U-19 Championship and the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007.

“I really wanted to play in midfield but there were so many good players back then, and I was not even sure if I could make the trip to Canada,” Ki recalled. “But I gained confidence after I was called up to the first team at Seoul, and I took more chances after that. All in all, I think it was a good experience. When can I ever play in defence again?”

Having taken part in the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008, Ki became an integral figure for both his club and the senior Taeguk Warriors. “After the Olympics, I came to realise that my position is somewhere in between: I’m neither a defensive midfielder who fights for the ball with tough tackles, nor an attacking midfielder who plays behind strikers,” he said. “Probably my style is more like those of Andrea Pirlo or Xabi Alsonso, but I’m trying to raise the offensive side of my game.”


If I could make the World Cup, it would be another chance for me to improve. I hope we can reach the last 16 and I want to score a goal.
Korea Republic's Ki Sung-Yueng


Ki recently realised his dream of playing in Europe by debuting for Celtic in the Scottish Premier League, but there is one more ambition he is eager to fulfil this year.

“If I could make it to the World Cup, it would be another chance for me to improve,” he said.

“I could play against the best players in the world, who are stronger than any other opponents I’ve ever faced. I hope we can reach the last 16 this time, and personally I want to score a goal. Then I would want nothing else.”

credit: FIFA official site

[PLAYER[ Lee Jung Soo

Lee Jung Soo

Date of Birth: 8 January 1980
Height: 185 cm
Shirt number: 14
Position: Defender
Current club: Kashima Antlers (JPN)
International Caps: 25
International Goals: 2
First international: Korea DPR - Korea Republic
(26 March 2008)
Club History
Kyoto Purple Sanga (JPN): From 2009 to 2009
Suwon Samsung Bluewings (KOR): From 2006 to 2008
Incheon United (KOR): From 2004 to 2005
FC Seoul (KOR): From 2002 to 2004

A colossus in the centre of defence, Lee Jung-Soo is a reliable defender with excellent vision and the ability to score from set pieces. He also has the speed required for an attack-minded centre-back, while triggering quick counters with accurate long balls to forward positions.

Lee began his professional career at Anyang LG Cheetahs in 2002 before moving to Incheon United in the middle of the 2004 season. Having played a key role for the United side that finished runners-up in the national championship the following season, Lee joined Suwon Bluewings in 2006 and stayed at the Big Bird until he lifted the K-League trophy at the end of the 2008 season.

He made his international debut in a goalless draw with Korea DPR in March 2008 during the third round of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South AfricaÔ, and then went on to feature in nine matches during the preliminary competition.

After his move to the J.League side Kyoto Sanga last year, Lee broke his international duck in a 2-1 friendly win over Australia in September before netting his second against Finland in January. He also took part in the EAFF East Asian Championship the following month, having completed a transfer to Japanese champions Kashima Antlers.

Lee may have started his international career only two years ago, but after showing impressive performances for his club and country the 30-year-old is looking forward to realising his dream when the finals kick off in South Africa.

[PLAYER] Kim Bo Kyung

Kim Bo Kyung

Date of Birth: 6 October 1989
Height: 178 cm
Shirt number: 6
Position: Midfielder
Current club: Oita Trinita (JPN)
International Caps: 6
International Goals: 0
First international: Zambia - Korea Republic
(9 January 2010)

Kim Bo-Kyung is an all-around midfielder who can deliver precise crosses from the left flank or dissect the opposition defence with inch-perfect through balls from the middle of the park.

After leading Hongik University to the Fall Championship in 2008, Kim went on to take part in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt the following year. There, he helped the little Taeguk Warriors reach the quarter-finals with his two goals against the USA and Paraguay, although he could not feature in the last eight encounter with eventual champions Ghana due to suspension.

Affectionately dubbed 'the left-footed maestro' after his heroics at Egypt 2009, Kim was called into the senior national team for their training camp in South Africa earlier this year. He won his first cap in a friendly with Zambia in Johannesburg on 9 January 2010, before participating in the EAFF East Asian Championship the following month. Kim set up Korea Republic's third goal that sealed a 3-1 victory over hosts Japan, and more recently, made another impressive appearance as a substitute in a 2-0 win against the same opponents in May.

Kim signed his first professional contract with J.League outfit Cerezo Osaka in January and then was subsequently loaned to Oita Trinita in the Japanese second division.

[PLAYER] Ki Sung Yeung

Kim Seung Yeung

Date of Birth: 24 January 1989
Height: 187 cm
Shirt number: 16
Position: Midfielder
Current club: Celtic (SCO)
International Caps: 23
International Goals: 4
First international: Korea Republic - Jordan
(5 September 2008)

Club History
FC Seoul (KOR): From 2007 to 2010

A central midfielder with a sharp eye for goal, Ki Sung-Yueng has emerged as the dead-ball specialist during Korea Republic’s qualifying campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South AfricaÔ. His powerful and accurate free-kicks have made him famous in the Korean football scene, while he more than makes up for his slim figure with excellent vision and creative passes.

After coming through the ranks in Korea Republic’s youth national teams, Ki took part in the AFC U-19 Championship and the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. It was there that he learned how to play for the team, moving out of his favourite position to operate as a centre-back.

Although he joined FC Seoul in 2006, he did not make his first-team debut until Senol Gunes took charge of the Seoulites the following season. And, as he was establishing himself at the capital club, Ki was given another chance to participate in a major international tournament. He was an integral part of the young Taeguk Warriors at the Olympic Football Tournament in the summer of 2008, but even the inspirational midfielder could not keep his side from making a premature exit from Beijing.

In spite of the disappointing result, Ki finally got the call up to the national team shortly afterwards, winning his first cap in a friendly with Jordan on 5 September 2008. And it took only five more days for him to open his international account, as he scored the equaliser with a half-volley in a 1-1 draw with Korea DPR in the Asian Zone qualifying for South Africa 2010. Ki went on to feature in all of Korea Republic’s eight matches in the fourth and final round, including the hard-fought 1-1 draw with Iran at the Azadi where he set up Park Ji-Sung’s late equaliser with a trademark free-kick.

By the time Ki rounded off the fruitful year in 2009, Celtic came knocking on his door. The Scottish giants were quick to secure his services in December, in a rare occasion that Ki was officially presented as a Celtic player in his homeland, not in Glasgow. It was a dream come true for the 21-year-old, who had dreamt of playing in Europe. In fact, he was nicknamed ‘Kirrard’ after his hero Steven Gerrard, whom he idolised as a teenager.

Now that the chance has come for the promising youngster to shine like the England star in the future. But Ki remains just as humble, insisting that his personal goal is just to score a goal at the finals. And if Korea Republic can progress beyond the group stage, South Africa 2010 will be another dream come true for him.

Koreans celebrate victory in style

Jubilant crowds gathered throughout South Korea to celebrate the national team's victory over Greece in their 2010 FIFA World Cup™ opener.

About one million red-shirted fans nationwide, including 200,000 in Seoul, packed boulevards, stadiums and parks on Saturday, cheering the side's 2-0 win over UEFA Euro 2004 champions Greece, police said. Major South Korean TV channels on Sunday repeatedly showed highlights of the game, along with post-match analysis.

Fans chatted online on major websites and in chatrooms in this most wired of countries. The game, which was broadcast live in South Korea, drew crowds of people to wherever TV screens were - city streets, plazas, parks, cinemas, bars, riverside camping sites and living rooms.

Wearing plastic rain coats against continuous drizzle, 50,000 people gathered at Seoul's city hall plaza in front of giant TV screens. Celebratory fireworks shot up into the sky from Seoul's Han River park where families camped out, cheering for the squad and rejoicing the win.

"It was so beautiful," a Korean fan, identified online as Sharon, said in a message to Yahoo's Korean language portal after captain Park Ji-Sung's goal, the second of the night, secured victory. "One more goal in the match against Argentina. Let's beat them," said Park Sukwan, another online user, in a message, referring to the upcoming fixture.

Yonhap news agency, citing a national TV ratings agency, said almost six in 10 South Korean television sets were tuned to the match.

source: fifa.com