itsbeautifuloutside

South Korea v Algeria

Port Alegre, 22nd June 2014

Match Report

This was a humdinger of a match. South Korea had never lost to an African team, ever. The Algerian win was the first for the country at a World Cup for 32 years and their fourth goal by Bahimi was probably the best team goal in the competition so far. A lot for them to be proud of and fully deserved.

Right from the start the Algerians were playing at a high tempo, lots of short quick passing and the South Koreans were clearly confused. This wasn't the team they had seen plodding through their game with Russia.

The first goal came for Algeria in the 26th minute when Slimani sprinted onto a long ball, running between the two Korean centre halves and shot to the right of wrong footed goalie.

We didn't have long to wait for the second goal. Two minutes to be precise. A corner wasn't dealt with and Halliche headed in. 0-2 and the South Koreans were shell shocked.

The Algerians were not finished yet and the excellent Djabou added a third in the 38th minute.

I will bet the South Koreans were glad to get in the dressing room at half time.

The second half began and it was clear that the Algerians would not have it all their own way in the second half. The South Koreans absolutely ripped into Algeria and within five minutes had pulled a goal back, when Son Heung-min shot between the goalies legs.

You wondered if Algeria would cave in like South Korea in the first half. They are clearly made of stronger stuff, because they had saved the best till now. In the 62 minute the Algerians scored a corker of a team goal. It started deep in their own half and ended with Brahimi burying the ball in the net.

This match was not finished by any means, shortly after some random chanting for Guly (??) the Koreans managed one last hurrah, by scoring through Koo Ja-cheol. 2-4. Phew!

The clock ran out and the Algerians celebrated as if they had actually won the World Cup. Wonderful.

It's games like this that make the competition, although I am not sure that South Korea would agree.

channonite