Korea, Mexico in goalless draw

By Jung Min-ho

The game was lop-sided but in the end, Korea failed to take advantage of its superiority in a scoreless draw against Mexico in Thursday’s opening Group B Olympic football match.

During the encounter at Newcastle’s St. James’ Park, both teams struggled to find their rhythm on the slippery turf following a shower just before kickoff. After nearly an hour of busy but fruitless play, often dominating the opposition, Korea seemed to pick up the tempo and started creating more scoring opportunities as the second half progressed.

Nam Tae-hee and Park Jong-woo could have put Korea ahead in the first half. Wolfsburg midfielder Koo Ja-cheol then came close to opening the scoring in the 53rd minute with a volleyed effort from close range that clipped the crossbar. He then almost set up Ki Sung-yueng and with 10 minutes to go headed Kim Chang-soo's cross wide.

Korea’s penalty area was rarely threatened but winger Javier Aquino looked dangerous throughout the match and had a good shot saved. Marco Fabian missed a great second-half chance and Mexico almost stole a winner when Raul Jimenez’s low shot in the close range clipped the outside of the right post in injury time.

Despite Korea’s dominance, the disappointing result has raised questions about whether the team’s offense is capable of converting scoring opportunities. Gaping holes in defense were also exposed at critical moments by Mexico’s long-range passing.

Korea was relieved after finishing its first challenge with a draw especially as midfielder Han Kook-young, who plays a vital defensive role, missed the game with a foot injury. Before the tournament Mexico was seen as the toughest competition in Group B and the North American nation will have to improve from this showing if it wants to vie for a podium place.

Korea’s will meet Switzerland next in Coventry on Sunday, followed by Gabon in London on Wednesday. Switzerland and Gabon played out a 1-1 draw in Newcastle after the Korea game to leave Group B wide open.