Hearts melt in freezing Korea
Wild celebrations in victory over Portugal to reach last 16 with superstar forward Son’s tears of joy moving a nation
South Koreans thronged the streets early yesterday, shedding tears of joy in subfreezing temperatures after their national team’s last-gasp, 2-1 comeback win over Portugal to advance to the final 16 at the World Cup.
They celebrated superstar striker Son Heung-min’s tearful post-match interview and munched Ghana-branded chocolates to honour the plucky performance by the African nation whose match result ensured South Korea’s berth in the knockout round.
Some 8,000 supporters gathered in Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul despite the winter chill and midnight start.
South Korea began the match third of the four teams in Group H and were at risk of returning from Qatar as they were deadlocked 1-1 with already-qualified powerhouse Portugal, until Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Hwang Hee-chan scored in added time to clinch the win.
The team, and the fans back home, then had to wait an agonising 10 minutes to learn they would progress, when Uruguay beat Ghana 2-0 but crashed out of the tournament on goal difference with South Korea. Cheers erupted from flat complexes and the streets across South Korea.
“I felt absolutely thrilled. We were cornered going into injury time, and Sonny was running like crazy,” said Lee Tae-woo, referring to Tottenham Hotspur striker Son, after watching the game with friends. “I was so nervous but I’m so glad that they made it.”
Many on social media circulated Son’s interview, in which he said through tears he had not performed well, thanking his teammates for pulling off the dramatic win. Son posted photos of the team celebrating the victory, commenting on Instagram: “We did not give up and you did not give up on us. I love you, Korea.” It fetched more than 3 million “likes” and more than 50,000 cheery replies.
“It was heartbreaking to see him cry and say sorry for his performance, though he did great even with injuries,” Kim Hyun-joo, a Seoul resident who said she was not familiar with football but enjoyed the match, said.
President Yoon Suk-yeol congratulated the team on Facebook, saying he hoped the players would demonstrate their potential and enjoy the tournament.
They will play five-time champions Brazil in the round of 16, seeking another upset to get to the quarter-finals for their second time.
The term “Ghana chocolate” was trending on South Korean Twitter, referring to a brand by Seoul-based Lotte Confectionery using cacao beans from Ghana. Some Korean fans touted the African side for doing their best until the last minute.
“I’m going to eat no chocolates other than Ghana until I die,” one person tweeted.
Cristiano Ronaldo denied he had sworn at Portugal coach Fernando Santos when he was substituted during their dramatic defeat by South Korea, as both teams advanced into the next round.
Ronaldo, Portugal’s captain, said the comments he made as he left the field in the 65th minute were in fact aimed at a South Korean player.
Portuguese media said the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player, who left the English club last month, appeared to challenge Santos over the decision to substitute him, using vulgar language towards the coach.
“What happened was before my substitution, the South Korea player told me to get off quickly. I told him to shut up as he doesn’t have that authority. There was no disagreement [with the coach],” Ronaldo was quoted as saying by Portuguese reporters.