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Xtopolop · Jun 18, 2002, 10:04 AM

A goal in the 88th minute tied the game for Korea, then in double over time Jung-Hwan Ahn scores a sudden-death goal giving the sweet sixteen victory to Korea!!! WOOOO!!!

rjenkinson · Jun 18, 2002, 10:25 AM

very, very nice... the team with the best attitude in the tournament advances again.

-r.

kndonlee · Jun 18, 2002, 10:28 AM

yes.. yes.. it was very very very suspenseful to the last 120 minutes of the game!!

Being in korea, there's an invisible 12th player... the Red Devils they call themselves. Over a 100,000 people came out just to the cityhall to watch the game and cheer korea on. All the red you see, is the whole country as a whole cheering on the Korean team... and wow! It's amazing.

The Worldcup is the craze over here in Korea and right now.. as I type, bars are giving out free drinks, restaurants free meals!

But the juicy details. Korea was losing 1:0 to Italy until the 43rd minute of the 2nd half. until umm.. I forget his name, made the goal. The game kept going on and on into the the extension, where hrm.. a 2nd yellow card was given out and thus a red card. Korea was now playing Italy 11 to 10 players. The first 15 minute extension still was at a tie... Into the second half of the entension... Ahn Jung Hwan makes the goal with a head shot. Exactly the same way like it was in USA vs Korea game... my oh my...

What will happen with Korea and Spain???? phew.. My palms get sweaty just thinking about it...

M�lum · Jun 18, 2002, 10:28 AM

It's nice to have a normal life again here in Italy.
Viva Senegal!

Xtopolop · Jun 18, 2002, 10:30 AM

It must be quite a rush to have 64,000 Koreans chanting in UNISON all around you. The announcer said there were some 200 people wearing blue at that stadium, and 11 of them were on the field

.

[Edit]:
Italy's out...
Argentina's out...
M�xico's out...
France's out...
US's first trip to Quarter Finals ever (?) and first win against M�xico since 1930...

Quite an incredible world cup we're having here!

[ 06-18-2002, 10:35 AM: Message edited by: Xtopolop ]

kndonlee · Jun 18, 2002, 10:40 AM

Well, here the inside scoop on Korea. They sell these Be the Reds t-shirts and they have been selling like hotcakes! Some 30-40million koreans all together wear this one t-shirt, along with the actual unifomr released by nike... People play like 200 bucks just for the top.. and other get the knowck off versions. Anywho... These 30~40 millions people all over the whole country of Korea goto anywhere where there is a TV to gather and cheer the team on.

The streets that are sooooo crowded during the night and day, are practically empty while the game plays. There are people that goto the City Hall in Seoul, other's goto baseball stadiums, others goto the local supermarket where anyone and everyone can get together in a group. And as the game goes on, and they hear on tv, the koreans in the stadium chanting in a 5-beat chant, the Korean name of Korea: Dae~~ Han Meen Gook

Everyone in the whole country as a whole joins in, chanting and chanting. And when that is not enough, they all together sing the song, following the lead of what's happening in the stadium. All that red, all that passion and love, to keep on moving forward... wow!

If you have seen crazy superbowl games in the US, where the people are going crazy, multiply that by a million, and you've got what's goin on in korea. The TV, the radio, the ads, the talkshows, even the regular sitcoms and cartoons and everything else, is alllll about the worldcup. Ad campaigns on the Worldcup have been setup by businesses like crazzzyyyy.

Imagine waking up to the themse song of the world cup, and sleeping to that saem theme song of victory... It's crazzzzyy.. Could you ever ever imagine the streets of San Francisco or Manhattan practically empty at 3PM?? Well in korea, that's exactly how it gets when the Korean team plays.

It's such a big deal that I've been practically overwhelmed. Celebritys are out there on the streets cheerin along with all the kids, adults and everyone else.. just crazy crazy crazy...

hehe... anything else you wanna know about Korea?? hehe... =)

Hawkeye_a · Jun 18, 2002, 10:45 AM

this is frigon hilarious. lol. France, Italy and France out of the world cup, whoes next germany and Brazil ? hahaha...this worldcup is a joke, it's all rigged.

rjenkinson · Jun 18, 2002, 10:47 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Hawkeye_a:
this is frigon hilarious. lol. France, Italy and France out of the world cup, whoes next germany and Brazil ? hahaha...this worldcup is a joke, it's all rigged.<hr /></blockquote>i know! i couldn't believe it when france was knocked out the second time!

-r.

Xtopolop · Jun 18, 2002, 10:48 AM

kndonlee:
I would kill to be in Korea right now!! The atmosphere must be incredible. The ESPN2 announcer pointed out the riot police entering the stadium during the first over-time

. There was either going to be a hell of a lot of upset Koreans or a hell of a lot of ecstatic Koreans. I was there 2 years ago and saw them constructing the stadium in Daegu, and my friends and I said we would come back for the world cup, but we couldn't make it

. Oh, if only I were in Korea...

Spheric Harlot · Jun 18, 2002, 10:59 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Hawkeye_a:
this is frigon hilarious. lol. France, Italy and France out of the world cup, whoes next germany and Brazil ? hahaha...this worldcup is a joke, it's all rigged.<hr /></blockquote>It doesn't seem rigged. A lot of it really seems to be luck this year. Korea did not play a very good game - they got lucky. I'm really pleased for Korea (the country), but there's much better teams that have lost out already.

Now, Ireland - there was a team that really fought. Impressive, and pretty cool to watch.

-spheric*

kndonlee · Jun 18, 2002, 11:02 AM

Xtopolop:

Trussssssttt me bro. It'z definitely crazy. The whole nation would've probably committed suicide as a whole if we didn't win..... man oh man.. while I was riding the near empty subway train to beat all the people that would be filling the streets in Seoul, you should've seen those dejected faces.. but anyways.. everyone, my uncle who's a doctor, my cousin who's in marketing... everyone is crazzzzzzyyyyy.... It's sooo bad that during the US vs Korea game, when I said I put my money on the US.. I was an outcast for that day.... I mean.. people at local grocery stores wouldn't sell me a candy bar for a million bucks, if I said.. yea, I put my money on USA

While I was walking back, the people watching the game at home.. I could hear them shouting and screaming!!! "Get the dxmn firggin balll out of therreeeee!!!!! Shoot the dag ball.. but I mean you hear it from one house and another and another and another... craaazzzy stuff. Being American Born, and having korean roots... puts me in a position to really really reallyrea cheer the Korean team on... but then again....being a native american.. hehe.. =/ these ambivalent feelings...

anyyyywayyysss..... korea korea korea.. is in their own world just ecsatic about the worldcup. They were finally going into the 16th power in 48 years... now the 8th.... phew!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone is expecting the semi finals... who knows... If Korea could beat Spain in the game on the 22nd... btw... tix are each 250,000 won.. which is approx 250 bucks... And then even on top of that... Remmeber the crazes for Playstation 2s and crazes for tix to concerts at those boybands???? Those are NOTHING compared to tix selling here for the worldcup...... Literally lines longer than the china wall.. hehe.. They are still cheering on... Can you believe that Public and private school are even letting out early to let the kids cheer on the korean team?? Businesses are actually closing early to let the workers cheer them on.....

In everyway you think a country as a whole could cheer on a team, Korea is doing and even more.... wowwwwww!!!!!!

ReggieX · Jun 18, 2002, 11:10 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by kndonlee:
Could you ever ever imagine the streets of San Francisco or Manhattan practically empty at 3PM?? <hr /></blockquote>During the USA - Canada Olympic hockey final, they showed the corner of Yonge and Dundas Streets, one of the busiets intersections of Toronto: deserted. No people, no cars. Everyone was at home or at a bar watching the game!

kndonlee · Jun 18, 2002, 11:11 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr /> It doesn't seem rigged. A lot of it really seems to be luck this year. Korea did not play a very good game - they got lucky. I'm really pleased for Korea (the country), but there's much better teams that have lost out already.

Now, Ireland - there was a team that really fought. Impressive, and pretty cool to watch. <hr /></blockquote>Definitely, lots of luck. That's why during the game... what was I doing?? Sipping my Mocha Macchiata(dunno how to spell it).. with extra caramel, while I read a good book.

( starbucks was empty though, I was the only customer there... hehe)

But anyways... lots of luck... but, Korea is fast and have lotsa stamina... you've gotta give that to them.

But yea, this year is a loooooootttttt of luck... but then again... who gets lucky and unlucky is reality too. gotta accept that too, no??

Korea did score two goals on England even though they lost 3:2 in the umm... what is that. those games they play b4 the real thing.... hehe

but anyways... I really think it's the atmosphere of the cheering that can be pretty intimidating on teams playing against Korea. Really not nice as Koreans, but I mean, What does a team do in a foreign country with 30~40 million people all out cheering for Korea as a whole. It's very difficult not to notice, ya know?

cenutrio · Jun 18, 2002, 11:54 AM

I cannot believe I�m writing this, but I think Italy was extremely innocent (mostly Vieri). They should have win easy. Still, Korea physical shape and quickness when moving the ball is very impressive. Let�s see how the Korea defense performs against Raul and Morientes and if Spain is able to stop the �total football� of the Dutch-Koreans. It will be fun�

kndonlee · Jun 18, 2002, 12:03 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr /> I cannot believe I�m writing this, but I think Italy was extremely innocent (mostly Vieri). They should have win easy. Still, Korea physical shape and quickness when moving the ball is very impressive. Let�s see how the Korea defense performs against Raul and Morientes and if Spain is able to stop the �total football� of the Dutch-Koreans. It will be fun� <hr /></blockquote>I wonder if we'll be lucky agian, but one thing is.. not this game, but every other game such as with, Poland, Portugal, USA, Korea's defense and especially midfielders have been working their arses off keeping the ball away from the goal. I mean, when the offense does break through, the whole defnese and midfielders and even part of the offense all moves down within 5 seconds to block whatever is going on near their goal... The koreans defend their goal with a passion, while I see their goals are pretty lucky. Except that one with Portugal when Park, Ji Sung I think made that spectacular goal. landed the ball on his chest, popped it slightly to the left with his right foot across one defender, then smacked that baby right into the net with his left foot... with that ball never touchign the ground..., Now that was skill.

Tigerabbit · Jun 18, 2002, 02:03 PM

I wish I had been about to see the entire game.

I had to go see the doctor this morning (routine baby check), and her office doesn't have cable. I had to leave home right as Korea scored the tying goal.

Korea's a lot better than expected, but then so are all the other non-traditional quarterfinalists. Who would have thought Turkey vs. Senegal as quarterfinal match? USA vs. anybody?

My expectation is Espa�a vs. Brasilia, but I would be happy to see one or two underdogs win out.

cenutrio · Jun 18, 2002, 02:07 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by kndonlee:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr /> I cannot believe I�m writing this, but I think Italy was extremely innocent (mostly Vieri). They should have win easy. Still, Korea physical shape and quickness when moving the ball is very impressive. Let�s see how the Korea defense performs against Raul and Morientes and if Spain is able to stop the �total football� of the Dutch-Koreans. It will be fun� <hr /></blockquote>I wonder if we'll be lucky agian, but one thing is.. not this game, but every other game such as with, Poland, Portugal, USA, Korea's defense and especially midfielders have been working their arses off keeping the ball away from the goal. I mean, when the offense does break through, the whole defnese and midfielders and even part of the offense all moves down within 5 seconds to block whatever is going on near their goal... The koreans defend their goal with a passion, while I see their goals are pretty lucky. Except that one with Portugal when Park, Ji Sung I think made that spectacular goal. landed the ball on his chest, popped it slightly to the left with his right foot across one defender, then smacked that baby right into the net with his left foot... with that ball never touchign the ground..., Now that was skill.<hr /></blockquote>I agree with you their duth coach Hiddink is well known for his "total football" tactics that were pioneered by his contrymen cruiff. Everybody defends, everybody attacks........we like that idea in Spain (Cruiff was a very imitated coach after he worked for Barcelona), but Spaniard players are in very bad shape after an extenuating season in which they won the Champion league with tree teams in the semifinals. They just need vacation......i.e. Raul has played 67 games this season, that has to be a record
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

cenutrio · Jun 18, 2002, 02:11 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Tigerabbit:
I wish I had been about to see the entire game.

I had to go see the doctor this morning (routine baby check), and her office doesn't have cable. I had to leave home right as Korea scored the tying goal.

Korea's a lot better than expected, but then so are all the other non-traditional quarterfinalists. Who would have thought Turkey vs. Senegal as quarterfinal match? USA vs. anybody?

My expectation is Espa�a vs. Brasilia, but I would be happy to see one or two underdogs win out.<hr /></blockquote>Brazil (they are always at the top), England (if it beats Brazil), Germany (but US is a pride team too, difficult to beat), Spain if the beat Korea, Senegal.......................all of them very close. We are sure having fun.

P · Jun 18, 2002, 02:27 PM

Not to take anything away from South Korea, they played with all heart, I like to see the host nation staying in the tournament and you have m y support against Spain, but... what was that ref taking? Is every ref in this cup biased against Italy?

Tigerabbit · Jun 18, 2002, 02:39 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by P:
Is every ref in this cup biased against Italy?<hr /></blockquote>He's the same one that called the US-Portugal match, Byron Moreno of Ecuador. I thought he was a fair ref, not as card-happy as many others, but 6 cards in regulation (9 total) is a high number for him.

{update}
Okay, I finally got to see the extra time play. Totti should not have been yellow-carded in the 103rd minute, but the call was made based on what the ref saw. Normally, if Moreno is out-of-position to make a call, he doesn't make it; this time he did. Moreno isn't perfect, but he is a better ref than most IMHO.
{/update}

[ 06-18-2002, 04:07 PM: Message edited by: Tigerabbit ]

theolein · Jun 18, 2002, 05:35 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by P:
Not to take anything away from South Korea, they played with all heart, I like to see the host nation staying in the tournament and you have m y support against Spain, but... what was that ref taking? Is every ref in this cup biased against Italy?<hr /></blockquote>My opinion exactly. The goal of italy that was dissallowed because of offside was bull****. have just seen the replay on TV. There is no way on earth that Italy was offside. Italy should have won.

But congrats to Korea all the same.

Parvulesco · Jun 18, 2002, 06:42 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by theolein:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by P:
Not to take anything away from South Korea, they played with all heart, I like to see the host nation staying in the tournament and you have m y support against Spain, but... what was that ref taking? Is every ref in this cup biased against Italy?<hr /></blockquote>My opinion exactly. The goal of italy that was dissallowed because of offside was bull****. have just seen the replay on TV. There is no way on earth that Italy was offside. Italy should have won.

But congrats to Korea all the same.<hr /></blockquote>Italy has been the victim of horrible officiating throughout the tournament. Five goals disallowed because of offsides (two of which, including what should have been a game winner in this last match, were clearly incorrect calls), another on a phantom foul. Ridiculous.

Where's Pierluigi Collina when you need him?

stefls · Jun 18, 2002, 07:20 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Parvulesco:
Where's Pierluigi Collina when you need him?<hr /></blockquote>Errr, isn't he an Italian too? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

You're right; he's damn good!

kndonlee · Jun 19, 2002, 02:26 AM

I didn't get to see the whole game, but I did see two of the offsides called on Italy during last half of the game, and from one camera angle, it seemed that Italy was not offsides. However, when looked at from a closeup, and actually seeing where the players were in realtion to the stripes on field, and also in slow motion, they were both times offsides. I forget which player, but he started running and passed all the korean defensemen, right at the moment the ball was kicked, thus by the time he received the ball, it was only between him and the goalie. That happened twice.

I can't vouch for the other offsides but I can vouch for those. However! I believe as a Korean, cheering on the Korean team, that the second yellow card, thus leading to the red card on vietti?? was unfair. Seeing it in slow mo from like 3 different angles, I think that was a yellow card uncalled for. It was neither a korean or italian foul. It was just a body fight and the Italian player just happened to fall down...

I don't know how many angle shots and slow mo shots espn gives... but Definitley in korea in any single foul, or trip, or something with just a tad bit of significance, there is always at least another most time 2 more angle shots both shown in slow motion to see waht really happened.

Another thing.. I don't want to get flamed for, but thought i'd bring up just cuz it came to mind.. Here is some hearsay, bu ti've asked number people in korea and this is what they all say. It seems that in the US, the angle that was shown made it seem that the Koreans were cheating. However, when the Koreans saw not only other angles, but other countries footage (thus to remove the bias of korea's media), in actuality, the korean's hand never ever even touched Ono. It could be like that time the Senegal player kicking the corner kick was passed a ball from I forget who, and it hit his knee, but he immediately put his hands to his face to make it seem that the other team was out to get him... So there is a chance that people are trying to fake injuries and fouls.. and I believe that's why the ref called the yellow card on vietti cuz he probably thought vietti was trying to pull a fast one for a penalty kick... But the stuff about Ono and Korea is hearsay... so there's my disclaimer.. correct me if I'm wrong. =)

Gee4orce · Jun 19, 2002, 03:43 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by theolein:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by P:
Not to take anything away from South Korea, they played with all heart, I like to see the host nation staying in the tournament and you have m y support against Spain, but... what was that ref taking? Is every ref in this cup biased against Italy?<hr /></blockquote>My opinion exactly. The goal of italy that was dissallowed because of offside was bull****. have just seen the replay on TV. There is no way on earth that Italy was offside. Italy should have won.

But congrats to Korea all the same.<hr /></blockquote>The goalie didn't attempt a save because offside had already been called, so you can't just assume a goal would have been scored.

Korea were very unlucky not to score earlier - the scissors-kick in the last minute of normal time was fantastic, and the free kick *under* the jumping Italian wall was inspired!

P · Jun 19, 2002, 10:47 AM

Do you know what you call an Italian in the World Cup final?

A referee.

(Cool for Collina, though - he's probabaly the best ref there is, and he never gets the really big games because Italy's usually still in the cup.)

derbs · Jun 19, 2002, 11:39 AM

Here's a funny story. The guy who scored the golden goal (Ahn Jung-hwan) plays for Perugia, in the Italian league. Perugia's chairman has just said "That gentleman will never set foot in Perugia again!!!

<a href="http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/en/020619/1/15ed.html" target="_blank">http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/en/020619/1/15ed.html</a>

thunderous_funker · Jun 19, 2002, 11:44 AM

I taped the game off the spanish language channel here in LA (don't get cable) so I read all the controversy before seeing the game.

I have to say Korea looked great. They showed terrific speed, skill, and organization. IMO, they outplayed Italy. The Heroics of Buffon single-handedly kept it close. Italy had plenty of chances too. Vieri missed a couple of open netters.

The yellow on Totti in OT for diving is a very questionable call. He was clearly going for the penalty (and there was contact) but it should have been a no-call in that situation. That said, I don't think it was the deciding factor in the game. Italy still had scoring chances and should have been able to kill the OT and send it to penalty shots. Korea forced the action in OT with a man advantage no more than they did the rest of the game at even strength. In fact, I thought Italy played better a man down. The golden goal came on a great play that should have been routine for the Italian defense.

I love to watch the Italian teams play, but they just got beat this time around. It was very well played by both sides, but the Italians just ran out of gas and the relentless Korean attack finally got past Buffon.

Super match. Absolutely super. Man, i love the Cup!!!!

macaddled · Jun 19, 2002, 05:21 PM

Personally, I think Korea outplayed Italy and deserved the win. As far as I'm concerned, the recent poor results that Italy have suffered (here and in 2000) are direct karmic retribution for their negative style. Anybody remember their game against the Dutch? An abomination.

And the refs haven't gotten that "in-line with" call on the offsides right once, for anyone, all tournament. It isn't just Italy -- the refereeing has been pretty bad for everyone.

Ugh, if only we could get something to go our way against Germany. Please, Arena, use the speed! Use the speed!

thunderous_funker · Jun 19, 2002, 06:33 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by macaddled:
Personally, I think Korea outplayed Italy and deserved the win. As far as I'm concerned, the recent poor results that Italy have suffered (here and in 2000) are direct karmic retribution for their negative style. Anybody remember their game against the Dutch? An abomination.

<hr /></blockquote>I couldn't agree more. That game against the Dutch was the ugliest game I have ever seen. It was shameful. The only game that even comes close was the Germany/Cameroon game in this years Cup. Sickening. Taking thuggery to new lows.....

If you can't take a tackle without wanting to start a fight, get off the damn pitch!!

oeyvind · Jun 19, 2002, 09:37 PM

I still remember seeing almost every house hanging little Maradona dolls back in summer of 1990 (I was in Italia) when they lost then... but <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/2002/world_cup/news/2002/06/19/ahn_perugia_ap/" target="_blank">this</a> ONLY show the world how bad a bad looser Italia is... simply can't loose and blame everyone but themselves.

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

Parvulesco · Jun 19, 2002, 11:44 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by oeyvind:
I still remember seeing almost every house hanging little Maradona dolls back in summer of 1990 (I was in Italia) when they lost then... but <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/2002/world_cup/news/2002/06/19/ahn_perugia_ap/" target="_blank">this</a> ONLY show the world how bad a bad looser Italia is... simply can't loose and blame everyone but themselves.

<hr /></blockquote>You might feel differently if it was your team that had so many important goals disallowed on terrible referee's calls. Certainly Italy didn't play as well as it is capable of, but had it not been for incorrect calls, they would have breezed through group play and would have beaten South Korea as well.

As for Ahn: he had been considered a disappointment in Perugia, and was rumored to be on the way out even before this latest match.

red rocket · Jun 20, 2002, 04:52 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by derbs:
Here's a funny story. The guy who scored the golden goal (Ahn Jung-hwan) plays for Perugia, in the Italian league. Perugia's chairman has just said "That gentleman will never set foot in Perugia again!!!

<a href="http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/en/020619/1/15ed.html" target="_blank">http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/en/020619/1/15ed.html</a><hr /></blockquote>Glad someone brought this up. I just heard about it myself last night and I have to say I'm bloody disgusted! (If not exactly surprised; Italians tend to take defeat ridiculously hard as a rule.)

BTW, Italy also claim that they were beaten not by a better team but by "a higher force". Personally, I would have been surprised had they said anything else.

Jerommeke · Jun 20, 2002, 07:55 AM

Hid-dink ! Hid-dink ! Hid-dink ! Hid-dink ! Hid-dink !

One way in which we from the Netherlands are still represented at the World Cup

Xtopolop · Jun 20, 2002, 08:43 AM

wtf? <img border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" title="" src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" />

Italy's defeat has certainly stirred things up quite a bit. First Ahn is ousted from Perugia by a childish president, Luciano Gaucci for his game-winning goal. Second, there have been endless complaints about the officiating (all throughout the tournament, but most notably the red card given in OT). Third, the Red Devils have been accused of doping up to maintain their incredible stamina. Fourth, I can't get a hold of a Korea jersey!!!!

kndonlee · Jun 20, 2002, 08:53 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr /> Fourth, I can't get a hold of a Korea jersey!!!! <hr /></blockquote>Those are like frigggin 150+ bucks!!!.. But ya know.. since I'm in Korea...*cough cough* I think I saw a few stores *cough cough* have one or *cough cough*.... but anyywaysss..

I think the fake ones are like 10 bucks... hehe. =)

But due to high demand, all this soccer stuf fis expensive right now.. Gotta wait till July when stores are trying to clear inventory.

Sander · Jun 20, 2002, 10:04 AM

I am a fan of the underdogs so seeing Korea up there in the final eight is great. Good job. There is definitely something to be said about human spirit/determination...

I just wish Canada made it to the playoffs even...

Cheers.

Xtopolop · Jun 21, 2002, 01:32 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by kndonlee:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr /> Fourth, I can't get a hold of a Korea jersey!!!! <hr /></blockquote>Those are like frigggin 150+ bucks!!!.. But ya know.. since I'm in Korea...*cough cough* I think I saw a few stores *cough cough* have one or *cough cough*.... but anyywaysss..

I think the fake ones are like 10 bucks... hehe. =)

But due to high demand, all this soccer stuf fis expensive right now.. Gotta wait till July when stores are trying to clear inventory.

<hr /></blockquote>I just remembered my cousin is fairly high up at Nike. She should be able to score one of the Korean home jersey replicas

! And for much less than $150+!!!!! Then again... maybe I should just wait anyway and get one after the world cup is over. heh.

Parvulesco · Jun 24, 2002, 08:02 PM

Those of you that were upset by Luciano Gaucci's promise to get rid of Ahn Jung-hwan will be pleased to note that Perugia has completed its buyout of Ahn from the Pusan Icons of the K-League for about 1 million British pounds, meaning that he's completely owned by Perugia. This may, however, simply be a prelude to sell Ahn to another team and cash in on his newfound celebrity, but we'll have to wait and see how it all turns out.

Clearly Gaucci's statement was an overreaction made in frustration of the aftermath of an emotional phantom defeat. I never defended his statement or alleged decision to sack Ahn. I was merely attempting to show that it was a defensible move from a pure football standpoint, given that Ahn was a disappointment for Perugia and wasn't even a starter on the team. Because of this and the fact that he was on loan from the Pusan Icons, it had been rumored for quite some time that he would not be returning to Perugia next year.

These facts were missing from almost all of the sensationalist reports about his possible sacking from the team.

I'd also like to correct my earlier assertion that Ahn scored 5 goals in 30 games in the Serie A. In his first season, he played 29 games and scored 4 goals. This past year, his second in the Serie A, he scored 1 goal in 14 games. Thus his totals in two years are 5 goals in 43 games. I apologize for the error.

[ 06-24-2002, 08:06 PM: Message edited by: Parvulesco ]