Coach Huh Jung-moo was delighted as South Korea recorded a hard-fought 2-0 win over 10-man Saudi Arabia in today's World Cup qualifier to take command of a tight Group Two.
After Naif Hazazi was sent-off just before the hour mark the game swung in Korea's favour and Lee Keun-ho and substitute Park Chu-young struck in the final 13 minutes to ensure a first competitive victory over Saudi Arabia in 19 years.
Unbeaten Korea moved onto seven points while closest rivals Iran, who shared a 1-1 draw with United Arab Emirates, are two points adrift in second. Saudi Arabia and North Korea are a point further back with all four having played three games.
"We prepared very well for the match before arriving in Saudi Arabia because we believed it would be a tough game," Huh said.
"We did not play our usual style, especially in the first half, but after we scored the opener we regained our confidence and produced a good performance.
"If you look at where the team was a year ago and compare it with what we have now you will notice that we have solved a lot of problems and achieved many things."
Counterpart Nasser Al Johar hailed Saudi Arabia's display but was left to rue Hazazi's crucial dismissal.
Hazazi was sent-off after he went down inside the area attempting to round goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae, which resulted in his second yellow card of the match.
"When the referee sent-off Naif Hazazi, it changed everything for my team as we lost a good player and a chance to take the lead," said Al Johar.
"I hope that the AFC will review the referee's decision but as far as the football match is concerned, I congratulate the Koreans for their victory.
"We lost to a strong team although we wasted many opportunities to change the result. We had chances to score after Korea's first goal but luck was not with us.
"It was my responsibility, I cannot blame the players. My squad did very well in the match despite the bad fortune that affected us before and during the game.
"I am very sad at losing this important match on home soil but it is not fair to say that we are out of the running for a place in the 2010 World Cup finals.
"If I continue in my position with the team, you will be congratulating me after our last group game."
Unbeaten Korea moved onto seven points while closest rivals Iran, who shared a 1-1 draw with United Arab Emirates, are two points adrift in second. Saudi Arabia and North Korea are a point further back with all four having played three games.
"We prepared very well for the match before arriving in Saudi Arabia because we believed it would be a tough game," Huh said.
"We did not play our usual style, especially in the first half, but after we scored the opener we regained our confidence and produced a good performance.
"If you look at where the team was a year ago and compare it with what we have now you will notice that we have solved a lot of problems and achieved many things."
Counterpart Nasser Al Johar hailed Saudi Arabia's display but was left to rue Hazazi's crucial dismissal.
Hazazi was sent-off after he went down inside the area attempting to round goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae, which resulted in his second yellow card of the match.
"When the referee sent-off Naif Hazazi, it changed everything for my team as we lost a good player and a chance to take the lead," said Al Johar.
"I hope that the AFC will review the referee's decision but as far as the football match is concerned, I congratulate the Koreans for their victory.
"We lost to a strong team although we wasted many opportunities to change the result. We had chances to score after Korea's first goal but luck was not with us.
"It was my responsibility, I cannot blame the players. My squad did very well in the match despite the bad fortune that affected us before and during the game.
"I am very sad at losing this important match on home soil but it is not fair to say that we are out of the running for a place in the 2010 World Cup finals.
"If I continue in my position with the team, you will be congratulating me after our last group game."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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