FIFA World Cup 2010: Uruguay go 1-up against South Korea, Half-time report
Uruguay goes into half-time with a one goal advantage. The South Americans look well on their way to maintaining their record of not having lost to South Korea in 5 previous encounters. But surprisingly it was not their ace marksman Diego Forlan, who scored instead; it was Suarez who came up with the goods in the big match.
Before the start of the match, Uruguay brought in Digo Godin after he recovered from a hamstring strain. Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez were to lead the attack. South Korea also made just one change, Yeom Ki-Hun came in to replace Kim Jae-Sung.
South Korea made a lively start. Korea hogged the possession in early stages but had no clear cut goal scoring opportunities. The crowd was quite disappointing with most of the ground empty.
None the less, the action on the pitch was attractive enough, Park Chu-Young took ages to take a free-kick from 25 yards, left of centre, but the kick was worth waiting for, as he whipped it up and over the wall only for the ball to strike the outside of Fernando Muslera's right-hand post.
Soon after there was half an opening at the other end, but Diego Forlan for once was not able to quite catch a left-foot volley from 20 yards and Korean keeper Jung Sung-Ryong gathered it with ease.
Seconds after having their own chance at the other end, South Korea conceded. It was crazy goalkeeping and South Korea paid the price. Diego Forlan crossed from the left along the six-yard box and for some inexplicable reason; the Korean keeper came for it and then left it short. Luis Suarez had the simple task of slotting the ball into an empty net at the back post.
Uruguay built from that goal, while South Korea looked a little shell-shocked, but there is still enough time to hit back for Korea.
It took a few minutes for Korea to get back to their game after the goal. South Korea started playing some good football but Lee Chung-Yong could not keep the ball down.
The Asians continued to build from there and a number of moves saw Uruguay keeper diving twice to his left and once leaping high to keep the ball out.
Suarez though had a golden opportunity 5 minutes before the break to double the lead but could not keep his shot down.
Korea ended the half as the stronger team, but more importantly Uruguay has the lead.
There is at least one more goal in the 2nd half to come, if Uruguay get that its game over. But if Korea manage to score we may be heading to extra time.
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