Korea Republic Team:Woon Jae Lee, Young Chul Kim, Jin Cheul Choi, Jin Kyu Kim(Jung Hwan 46), Ji Sung Park,Young Pyo Lee, Eul Yong Lee(Kim Nam Il 68), Chun Soo Lee, Ho Lee, Jae Jin Cho(Kim Sang Sik 86), Chong Gug Song

Togo Team: Agassa, Nibombe, Tchangai,Assemoassa(Forson 62), Abola, Salifou(Aziawonou 86), Cherif Toure, Romao, Senaya(Toure 55), Kaderi, Adebayor

Match Report: This game was possibly the one out of the whole of the first round games with the hardest to predict the outcome. The Korean team had an amazing World Cup last time out on home soil, but that is really the only experience of them we have to go on. The Togo outfit was until today a very much unknown outfit with no World Cup finals experience.

Sometimes it is such games that give us the most entertainment, especially for the neutral viewer, simply because the unexpected can happen. This game fell quite a way short of being a classic, but nevertheless produced some talking points and showcased some unseen talent.

From the kick off both sides set off cautiously in an attempt to feel out their opponents and test their strength. The Korean's seemed to settle the quicker and were fast to break in numbers, happy to deploy men forward. Ji Sung Park was always keen to get a hold of the ball and try to dictate play, but the Togo side were quick to snap into the tackle and break up play.

There were little chances of note for either side in the first half hour but some neat passing and possession play was on view, mainly by the Koreans. Suddenly a long ball from the Togo defence was pumped up to Kader whose control on the outside of his right thigh allowed him to cross on the goal side of his marker and lash home a low shot to the goalkeepers right which nestled in the corner. A superb strike out of nothing.

The goal celebration which followed was certainly the strangest one of this World Cup so far, with about 7 Togo players staging a mock camel race down the left flank - weird.

The Koreans were visibly shaken into action and started to throw men into the fray, but without much end product. Park produced a couple of speculative efforts from distance, and Yong also had an effort from distance, but nothing clear cut.

Woon Jae was on his toes in the Korea goal to tip over a Senaya free kick, but there was little other goal threat before half time. The Togo side left the field at the break to a massive ovation from their noisy support, no doubt with a smile on their collective faces. A good start to their World Cup career.

Half Time: Korean Republic 0 Togo 1

Ahn Jung Hwan was introduced by Dick Advocaat just after the break for Korea, in an attempt to get the equaliser, but the first real chance fell to Kaderi at the other end. A good strong run where he held off his marker and shot hard at the near post almost got him his second goal, but was well saved.

Next came disaster for Togo. The Koreans broke quickly and Park was released through the middle of the field, clear of the last defender, only to be crudely felled by Abola. Abola was immediately sent off by referee Graham Poll for a second yellow card, but would probably have gone anyway, had he not already been booked.

Togo being reduced to 10 men was only half the punishment, as from the resultant free kick Korea levelled the scores. From just outside the D, Chun Soo Lee curled a right footed strike over a flat footed Agassa into the roof of the net. Another excellent goal.

It seemed obvious now that Togo had their work cut out to get anything from the game. Korea immediately went after a winner and had a possible penalty turned down when Young Pyo was pushed from behind in the box. It was one of those "I've seen them given" type of decisions, but no more than 50-50.

Togo to their credit now raised their game and work rate, and Salifou really came to the fore. He literally covered every blade of grass on the pitch and was involved in everything the Togans did in response. He almost sneaked another goal when he skipped through two challenges and exchanged passes with Adebayor, before firing over.

As time slipped by the Korean's committed more and more men forward. Jae Jin had two good heading opportunities, but his execution was poor. Park created himself a shooting opportunity, but the shot was tame. The goal was coming, but the resistance was still strong.

The was made and scored by Jung Hwan as he collected with his back to goal just outside the box, swiftly turned to his left and fired a smart, dipping shot over Agassa, which took a slight deflection on the way in. Now the Korean fans made their noise, delighted at the turn around.

With still 17 minutes to go the Togans again came forward, Salifou probing with the ball, and tackling anything that moved when without it. He almost created a second goal when he won the ball and fed Kaderi, whose shot went just over. Togo pressed hard, but could not find the final pass, and Korea counter attacked when in possession for a pulsating last 10 minutes, but the score remained.

An excellent second 45 minutes of football.

Full Time: Korean Republic 2 Togo 1

Korea Ratings:Woon Jae Lee 6, Young Chul Kim 5, Jin Cheul Choi6, Jin Kyu Kim 5, Ji Sung Park 8,Young Pyo Lee6, Eul Yong Lee6, Chun Soo Lee6, Ho Lee5, Jae Jin Cho7, Chong Gug Song 5
Subs:Jung Hwan 7, Kim Nam Il 5, Kim Sang Sik 5,

Togo Ratings: Agassa 5, Nibombe 5, Tchangai 5,Assemoassa 5, Abola 4, Salifou 8, Cherif Toure6, Romao 7, Senaya 6, Kaderi 7, Adebayor 4
Subs: Forson 6, Toure 5, Aziawonou 5

Referee G. Poll (England) 5. As is his norm, there were too many cards for really minor offences especially early on. Got the sending off spot on though.

Good: Park was the creative driving force for Korea. Salifou was magnificent for Togo. Three goals of real quality, every one of them.

Bad: The Togo goal celebration. What was all that about? Answers on a postcard please.

Ugly: Togo manager Otto Pfister's dress sense. Looked like Elton John, in ten years time.