photo from buffalonews.com
Japan cruised past Egypt convincingly with a scoreline of 3-0 while the Taegeuk Warriors from South Korea upset the host nation, Great Britain, by beating them 5-4 from the spot after drawing 1-1 at the end of extra time.
Previously, Asian football was not anywhere near the top European teams, let alone matching them in every department and to beat them at their own soil. What we witnessed early this morning, the fit-looking South Koreans had been harassing Great Britain’s defence right from the first whistle blown. Arsenal’s Park Chu-Young rocketed in the first goal in the 29mins to signal the very first warning to the home team. Park’s fellow Gunners team mate, Aaron Ramsey cancelled out the Korean’s lead 7mins later from a spot-kick. Score remained till the end of the extra-time. With great perseverance, determination and self-belief, the Koreans emerged champion from the shoot-out to send the host nation packing!
Compared the history of the teams which recorded the victories early this morning; Japan, Brazil, Mexico and South Korea, I would say the biggest winner in this London 2012 Olympic football competition, are the Asian’s representatives. Asian teams were used to be the second, or rather the third team behind the Europeans and South Americans. After South Korean’s incredible semi-final outing in World Cup 2002, once again, the Asians have shown the world what we are capable of doing at the international scene.
Game is still on, the final winner has not been determined. Not only we have seen some of the best Olympic football ever, the Asian spirits displayed by the Japanese and South Koreans have made this London 2012 Olympic even more interesting. To our fellow Asian’s representatives, Japan and South Korea, fly our Asian flags high.
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