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Korea tops Poland for first Cup win
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Korea tops Poland for first Cup win PUSAN, South Korea (Reuters) -- South Korea beat Poland 2-0 on Tuesday to seal their first World Cup finals victory at the 15th attempt, goals by Hwang Sun-hong and Yoo Sang-chul sending the 55,000 crowd into raptures. South Korea, which had played in five previous World Cups without managing a win, were worthy victors, and if there was ever any question about whether World Cup fever was burning in the co-hosting nation it was answered by the incredible scenes that greeted the goals. (Seoul explodes with joy) Hwang chose the perfect moment to score his 50th international goal, shooting past Jerzy Dudek from close range in the 26th minute to bring a crescendo of sound crashing down from the stands at the group D match. Yoo blasted in the second eight minutes into the second half to cap a victory that was just reward for a performance full of energy, enthusiasm and invention. "I'm very proud of course," South Korea coach Guus Hiddink said. "The fans were wonderful. But it's a two-way road. The fans to us and us to the fans. "Of course it's a famous win, but we cannot take time to celebrate. Instead now we have to prepare as soon as possible for our next game (against the United States)." Poland, appearing in its first World Cup for 16 years, barely created a chance and looked a shadow of the side which was the first to qualify from Europe last year. "We knew it would be very, very difficult against South Korea," Poland coach Jerzy Engel said. "Unfortunately, they were better than us today. We knew they would be very aggressive but they were also very well organized. "I believe this Korea team will be very difficult to beat at home in the World Cup." The Koreans had promised to attack from the start and were as good as their word, with Yoo shooting just wide and striker Seol Ki-hyeon looking lively in the opening 15 minutes. Experienced defense The Poles had pronounced themselves ready for the onslaught, but their experienced defence was nowhere to be seen when Hwang, unmarked 10 meters out, crisply turned in Lee Eul-yong's low left wing cross. It was just reward for the co-host, which had constantly tried to attack the flanks and expose what it saw as a cumbersome Polish defense. Poland's only real chance of the first half came after just two minutes when Jacek Krzynowek broke through on the left but shot into the side netting. It brought on Pawel Kryszalowicz in place of the ineffective Maciej Zurawski for the second half, but it was the host which struck again when Yoo made space on the edge of the box before unleashing a shot that Dudek could only palm into the roof of the net. Korea then showed some resolute defense in the face of a late Polish onslaught but held out for a memorable success. The victory was made even more satisfying by the fact that on the tournament's "Asia Day" Japan had drawn 2-2 with Belgium and China were beaten 2-0 by Costa Rica. The United States play Portugal in the second group D match Wednesday.
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