South Korea edge past Philippines
dubai — Gamba Osaka striker Hwang Uijo, whose nine goals helped South Korea clinch the gold at the Jakarta Asian Games last year, threatened to break the deadlock so many times only to be denied by the impressive Philippines goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard.
But Uijo eventually had the last laugh as his goal separated the victor from the vanquished, giving South Korea a hard-fought 1-0 win over debutants Philippines in a Group C encounter of the AFC Asian Cup at the magnificent Al Maktoum stadium on Monday.
Resolute defending from the Philippines challenged the Asian giants for large parts of the match, but in the end Uijo showed his class as his goal from inside the box in the 67th minute denied Philippines what could have been a memorable draw on their Asian Cup debut.
South Korea, looking to end their 59-year Asian Cup title drought, managed to take three points, thanks to Uijo’s classy finish as he beat two defenders after receiving a cross from Hwang Heechan.
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Philippines used their defensive formation to frustrate the South Koreans in the first half. Putting eight men behind the ball, Philippines suffocated the Koreans for large parts of the first half.
The 2002 World Cup semifinalists did have the lion’s share of the possession, but the tenacious Philippines were equal to the task, giving their goalkeeper Falkesgaard a relatively easy time under the crossbar. Philippines have reached this stage — it’s their first appearance at the continental showpiece event — by going unbeaten in their third qualifying round.
They certainly showed that form in the first half. While they lacked the verve going forward, it was while defending the relentless Korean assault on their box that the showed their style of football. Which is defending as though their life depended on protecting the goal.
But keeping the talented Koreans quiet is never an easy task for any team in Asian football. Eriksson’s men soon discovered that as the uninspiring first half suddenly came alive when the 26-year-old Uijo finally found some space in the rival box to test Falkesgaard, the 27-yearold goalkeeper.
In the space of eight minutes (33rd, 40th and 41st), Uijo showed brilliant movement on and off the ball, but his three attempts from inside the box were blocked by Falkesgaard.
Uijo eventually showed the composure in the 67th minute, beating Falkesgaard with a superb finish to become the toast of South Korea.
1-0
Was the margin of South Korea’s win over Philippines