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FIFA World Cup 2010 match 49 - Round of 16 Uruguay: Muslera, Lugano, Godin (Victorino 45), Fucile, M.Pereira, A.Pereira (Lodeiro 74), Perez, Arevalo Rios, Cavani, Suarez (Fernandez 84), Forlan. South Korea: Jung Sung-Ryong, Cho Yong-Hyung, Lee Young-Pyo, Lee Jung-Soo, Cha Du-Ri, Park Ji-Sung, Kim Jung-Woo, Kim Jae-Sung (Lee Dong-Gook 60), Ki Sung-Yeung (Yeom Ki-Hun 85), Lee Chung-Yong, Park Chu-Young. The opening exchanges of this first knockout game at the 2010 World Cup finals suggested there would be goals. Both sides pushed forward and neither defence looked particularly steady. The South Koreans looked especially suspect as they made a terrible meal of clearing a routine ball into their box. The first real scare came at the other end, however, as Park Chu-Young was desperately unlucky to see his fine free kick hit the outside of the post with Muslera a spectator. On eight minutes the opening goal did arrive and again the defending was woeful. Forlan was given time and space to centre low from the left and when Jung Sung-Ryong inexplicably allowed the ball to travel on to the far post Saurez was arriving unmarked to slot into the empty net. None of the South Korean defenders had moved a muscle but the main blame went to the keeper for his bizarre non contribution. Faced with this flimsy defence it seemed the Uruguayans would be able to fill their boots but they immediately adopted a completely negative approach and settled for protecting their lead. The Koreans made little impact now as Uruguay got numbers behind the ball and stifled the life out of the game. Park Chu-Young was wide from just outside the box and full back Cha Du-Ri was over with a couple of ambitious efforts from long range. On the odd occasions that Uruguay did venture forward the Korean defence still looked likely to offer gifts. Suarez headed weakly at the keeper from eight yards when Forlan centred from deep and they should have had a penalty when Maxi Pereira, after neat skill, saw his well struck effort blocked by a defenders' arm. After a bright opening this game had become a bore by half time. Half Time: Uruguay 1 South Korea 0 The second half saw Uruguay becoming yet more defensive but they looked far less secure as the Koreans began to attack with more purpose. Fucile did well to intercept a dangerous centre by Lee Young-Pyo after a good run down the left and Park Chu-Young blazed his best chance over after the ball dropped invitingly for him inside the area. It was difficult to see the logic behind Uruguay's approach given the strength of their own attack and the obvious weaknesses in the Korean defence but they continued to allow their opponents to come at them and Muslera had to save from Park Ji-Sung's header. With just over twenty minutes to go Uruguay paid the price for their tactics as South Korea drew level. Victorino headed a left wing free kick towards his own goal and Lee Chung-Yong stooped in to head past the ill advised advance of Muslera. Now the game was anyones' and Lee Chung-Yong had a great chance to put Korea in front after brilliant play by Park Ji-Sung but his shot was tame and presented Muslera with an easy save. Stung into going forward Uruguay again began to look the more dangerous side, however, and Saurez had another great chance to score after being left onside as Korea pushed up following a corner only to produce another feeble header. The striker did far better soon afterwards from another half cleared corner, skipping away from one flimsy challenge to score with a sweet drive in off the far post. Ten minutes remained and Korea were able to create one more clear chance. Park Ji-Sung was the provider with another superb pass but Lee Dong-Gook's finish was predictably poor and Muslera made a block and was helped out by a covering defender as the ball skidded across the face of goal. So Uruguay reach their first World Cup quarter final in forty years and could easily make it to the last four. It will be no fun watching them, however, unless they place more faith in their attacking capabilities. Full Time: Uruguay 2 South Korea 1 Uruguay: Muslera 5, Lugano 6, Godin 5 (Victorino 5), Fucile 7, M.Pereira 6, A.Pereira 4 (Lodeiro 4), Perez 6, Arevalo Rios 5, Cavani 3, Suarez 6, Forlan 6. South Korea: Jung Sung-Ryong 3, Cho Yong-Hyung 4, Lee Young-Pyo 6, Lee Jung-Soo 4, Cha Du-Ri 6, Park Ji-Sung 6, Kim Jung-Woo 4, Kim Jae-Sung 3 (Lee Dong-Gook 0), Ki Sung-Yeung 4, Lee Chung-Yong 7, Park Chu-Young 5. Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany) 5 Good: Luis Saurez has generally looked pretty crap to me despite being among the goals but his winner was outstanding. Bad: Uruguay's pathetically negative approach after going in front and ex Middlesbrough "striker" Lee Dong-Gook. Ugly: Uruguay sub Alvaro Fernandez. I think they're in with a shout for ugliest squad in the tournament.
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