South Korea, having won one match and lost one, came into the final Group B first round World Cup match with some hope of advancing. With three points and having scored three goals, the Korean side was tied in points but ahead of third-place Greece in the tiebreaker.
Nigeria, started the World Cup with two losses, needed to win and hope Greece lost. Nigeria was on the ropes and needed to come out punching hard.
For a while it seemed Nigeria might be up to the task, scoring after 11 minutes into the first half. Chinedu Obasi made a great move along the sideline, beating two Korean defenders, reversing, and then breaking toward the touchline. Obasi crossed to Kalu Uche who beat his defender and easily kicked it in.
After the goal, Nigeria seemed to slow down. They didn’t press, and aside from one free kick, which went over the crossbar and a blast from Uche, which hit the post, didn’t seriously threaten.
Korea came back, scoring off a free kick in the 38th minute. Ki Sung Yueng sent the ball right across the front of the net untouched; the Nigerian defenders were unready. At the far post, Lee Jung Soo burst past his defender and tried to head the ball in; he missed, but the ball struck his shin and bounced in.
Five minutes into the second half, Korea scored on a free kick. Park Chu-Young blasted the ball into the far corner as Nigerian keeper Vincent Enyeama guessed wrongly. Enyeama expected a shot over the wall. He was fooled completely, and Korea took the lead.
Korea controlled the ball for the most part after that, but Nigeria had its moments.
Sixty-six minutes in, Nigeria had an incredible chance. A sharp pass got the ball to Yussuf Ayila by the left post. He fed Ayegbeni Yakubu, all alone two yards in front of the net. Somehow, Yakubu missed the open net from six feet out!
Two minutes later, Kim Nam Il drew a yellow card for a tackle in the penalty box, giving Nigeria a penalty kick. This time Yakubu hit the mark, fooling the Korean netminder Jung Sung-Ryong, tying the game.
With 11 minutes left, Obafemi Martins got a ball through the middle and missed the net from three yards out.
In the final minute of regulation time, Nigerian striker Victor Obinna missed wide by a foot. Half a minute later, he did the same on a slightly longer shot.
South Korea hung on for the tie against Nigeria who gave everything they had. The tie is enough for South Korea to advance. Argentina beat Greece 2–0, and thus Nigeria and Greece will go home.
Nigeria, started the World Cup with two losses, needed to win and hope Greece lost. Nigeria was on the ropes and needed to come out punching hard.
For a while it seemed Nigeria might be up to the task, scoring after 11 minutes into the first half. Chinedu Obasi made a great move along the sideline, beating two Korean defenders, reversing, and then breaking toward the touchline. Obasi crossed to Kalu Uche who beat his defender and easily kicked it in.
After the goal, Nigeria seemed to slow down. They didn’t press, and aside from one free kick, which went over the crossbar and a blast from Uche, which hit the post, didn’t seriously threaten.
Korea came back, scoring off a free kick in the 38th minute. Ki Sung Yueng sent the ball right across the front of the net untouched; the Nigerian defenders were unready. At the far post, Lee Jung Soo burst past his defender and tried to head the ball in; he missed, but the ball struck his shin and bounced in.
Five minutes into the second half, Korea scored on a free kick. Park Chu-Young blasted the ball into the far corner as Nigerian keeper Vincent Enyeama guessed wrongly. Enyeama expected a shot over the wall. He was fooled completely, and Korea took the lead.
Korea controlled the ball for the most part after that, but Nigeria had its moments.
Sixty-six minutes in, Nigeria had an incredible chance. A sharp pass got the ball to Yussuf Ayila by the left post. He fed Ayegbeni Yakubu, all alone two yards in front of the net. Somehow, Yakubu missed the open net from six feet out!
Two minutes later, Kim Nam Il drew a yellow card for a tackle in the penalty box, giving Nigeria a penalty kick. This time Yakubu hit the mark, fooling the Korean netminder Jung Sung-Ryong, tying the game.
With 11 minutes left, Obafemi Martins got a ball through the middle and missed the net from three yards out.
In the final minute of regulation time, Nigerian striker Victor Obinna missed wide by a foot. Half a minute later, he did the same on a slightly longer shot.
South Korea hung on for the tie against Nigeria who gave everything they had. The tie is enough for South Korea to advance. Argentina beat Greece 2–0, and thus Nigeria and Greece will go home.
