By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter
The national team broke its South American jinx, Wednesday, with striker Park Chu-young scoring the winning goal in the 84th minute of a friendly match against Paraguay at Seoul World Stadium. Korea won 1-0.
The home-side had not won against a South American team in a decade since they edged Brazil 1-0 in a friendly in Seoul in 1999.
Korea also grabbed its first win over Paraguay ― the Tageuk Warriors have met the South Americans four times before, losing one and drawing three.
The Huh Jung-moo-led team extended its no-loss streak to 24 with 12 wins and 12 draws, respectively.
FC Seoul midfielder Ki Sung-yueng set up the winning goal. The 20-year-old passed to Busan I'Park midfielder Lee Seung-hyun who let loose a shot from the left side of the penalty area. Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar managed to deflect the ball but only as far as Park, allowing him to slot it home into the left corner of the net.
Newly recalled Jeonbuk Motors striker Lee Dong-gook, however, failed to impress remaining scoreless throughout the game.
FC Seoul midfielder Kim Chi-woo filled in for the absence of Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung, and performed well providing some chances for Lee.
In the 14th minute, Ulsan Tigers midfielder Yeom Ki-hun fired a left-footed shot from midfield, forcing the 32-year-old Paraguay goalie into a save.
Eleven minutes later, the best chance in the first half came to Korea after Ki earned free kick on a foul by defender Julio Caceres.
Kim Chi-woo crossed to Lee who headed the ball toward the left side only to see a diving Villar punch it away.
The South Americans seemed ill at ease throughout the half, frequently missing passes.
In the second half, Park and Wigan Athletic midfielder Cho Won-hee replaced Lee Dong-gook and Kim.
Park opened the second half with a clean shot from center midfielder three minutes after the break, but saw Villar comfortably make the save.
Borussia Dortmund forward Valdez was injured in the forehead in a clash with Seongnam Chunma midfielder Kim Jung-woo, two minutes later.
In the 52nd minute, Ki, free on the left fired a shot over the crossbar.
Paraguay immediately counterattacked in the 55th minute with forward Salvador Cabanas meeting a cross from defender Denis Caniza, only to head it over the bar.