Korea defeated by 10-man Iran

While the nation’s footballers failed to find Iran’s net, Javad Nekounam didn’t miss his chance. He capitalized on a poor clearance by the Korean defense to smash home a 76th minute winner to give 10-man Iran a 1-0 victory Wednesday.

Following its success at the Azadi Stadium, Iran now has seven points, tied with Korea at the top of Asian World Cup Qualifying Group A, although the Koreans are ahead on goal difference. 

“I feel bad that we couldn’t break the Tehran jinx, and I am the one responsible for the bad result, not the players,” manager Choi Kang-hee said. “But we are still top of the Group A standings and there are many home games. We will be fully prepared for them.”

With 100,000 fanatical supporters cheering on the home side, Korea seemed shaky from the start, failing to deliver effective passes to the front. Meanwhile, the Iranians pressured the visitors, taking advantage of the fans’ boos and catcalls directed at the visitors. 

Midfielder Kim Bo-kyung could have silenced the crowd but his 29th-minute header hit the crossbar. And Korea missed another good chance when captain Kwak Tae-hwi’s header again hit the crossbar just moments before the halftime whistle.

Things seemed promising for Korea when midfielder Masoud Shojaei received a second yellow card in the 53rd minute, leaving the pitch in tears. However, a lethargic performance failed to carve out any real goal-scoring opportunities in the second half except for Yun Suk-young’s mid-range strike six minutes from time, which went narrowly over the bar. 

In the meantime, the 10 men home turned the screw on the 2002 World Cup semifinalists with more precise passing and quicker play. 

Goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong kept the gap to just one goal with a decent outing, blocking several efforts. However, Nekounam’s shot from within in the box gave him no chance. 

Midfielder Ki Sung-yueng also played well, delivering some well-weighted free kicks, but strikers Park Chu-young and Kim Shin-wook struggled to take advantage of the delivery. Expectation surrounded Hamburg forward Son Heung-min when he was brought on in the 52th minute but he failed to live up to it. 

“After Shojaei was sent off, I was ordering our players to create chances from out wide but it didn’t work out well,” Choi said. “Iran did a good job of defending.” 

Uzbekistan beat Qatar the same night to move third in the group standings on five points, followed by Qatar and Lebanon with four. 

Despite the first loss after two wins and a draw, Korea’s chances of reaching the finals in Brazil still seem optimistic with three home games out of the four remaining fixtures. 

The Taeguk Warriors will resume their qualifying campaign against Qatar on their home turf on May 26. 

The top two teams from Group A and B will advance to the Brazil World Cup, with the two third-placed teams entering a playoff for a chance to qualify through a two-leg intercontinental tie with the fifth-placed nation from South America. In Group B, Japan is leading on 10 points, followed by Australia and Oman with five.

Unit 3

1. Jay, I can not focus on my study because of you. Could you be quiet more please?

2. Oliver, You have a great watch. I was wondering if you'd mind lending me your watch.

3. Song, I moved my home behind you. Would you mind helping move a sofa?

4. EunYoung, I lost my way to go home. Could you explain how to go to my home?

5. Heidi, sorry I was late because of traffic accident. Would you mind if I participated this class?