Footballers defeated by Italy 0-3

Korean footballers walk dispiritedly after allowing a goal to Italy in the Universiade final match in Naju, South Jeolla Province, Monday. / Courtesy of GUOC

By Nam Hyun-woo, Baek Byung-yeul

GWANGJU/NAJU, South Jeolla Province ― The Korean men’s football team settled or the silver medal, Monday, suffering a 0-3 loss against Italy in the final at the Gwangju Universiade.

At the Naju Public Stadium in South Jeolla Province, an early send-off frustrated the Koreans’ bid.

Adding the silver medal from the men’s football and three gold from other sports, the Koreans wrapped up the Gwangju Universiade with 47 gold, 32 silver and 29 bronze, leading the medals table for the first time in the country’s summer Universiade history.

Before the kick-off, odds were on the Koreans because Italy barely advanced to the knock-out stage after surpassing Chinese Taipei by goal difference.

And the game was largely controlled by the Koreans, but it started to lean toward the Italians after defender Park Dong-jin was sent off for an ill-timed tackle just six minutes into the first half. The outnumbered Koreans soon allowed the game’s opener to Tommaso Biasci, who easily flicked a low cross from the right flank into the net in the 11th minute.

To level the game, the Koreans raised the back line, but their efforts were frustrated by a solid line of Italian defenders. And 20 minutes later, the Italian’s doubled their lead with Paolo Regoli belting the ball into the net from long distance.

In the later part of the first half, Koreans had several chances to reduce the gap, but their attack was too blunt to infiltrate the Italian team.

The early second half was not far from the first half. Koreans possessed the ball, circling around the Italian box, but all too often allowing sharp counterattacks.

The Italians extended their lead 3-0 in the 53rd minute, after displaying precise passes and a brilliant finish. This time, Leonardo Morosini scored with a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty box.

The Koreans seemed to find a break, after Biasci was shown his second yellow card. With 20 men on the pitch, the Koreans were desperate not to disappoint their home fans. With 10 minutes before the final whistle, forward Kim Gun-hee dribbled down the right flank, with his shin guard popping out from his soc; but his solo effort was in vain, as his teammates were too drained to follow him.

After the game ended without additional goals, the Koreans collapsed on the pitch, while home fans cheered them for their hard fight.

National football team coach Uli Stielike, who was in the audience, also praised the university athletes’ hard work and encouraged them to not to be disappointed over the “precious silver.”

“Though there was an early-send off, the Italians were more decisive in the penalty box, while the Koreans were lacking creativeness,” the coach said. “These athletes need to be nurtured step by step. If they show a solid performance on the university circuit, they can be seen in the K-League and in the A team as well.”

Korean footballers finished atop the Universiade podium in the 1991 event in Sheffield, England. However, in the three following Universiades ― the 1993 event in Buffalo, U.S., the 1995 event in Fukuoka, Japan, and the 1997 event in Sicily, Italy ― they also settled for silver.

Men’s team caps off Universiade taekwondo with gold

The men’s taekwondo kyorugi team wrapped up their performance at the Universiade with a gold.

The team of In Kyo-don, Kim Dae-ik, Kim Hyeon-seung and Kim Jun-hyeob beat the Chinese team 9-8 in a close final. With the quartet’s gold, the country where the sport originated bagged eight out of 23 gold up for grabs.

In the women’s team kyorugi, of Jeon Chae-eun, Kim Min-jeong, Kim So-hee and Lee Da-bin settled for a bronze after a 12-13 loss to the Russians in a hard-fought semifinal match.

Korea showed dominance in the taekwondo by winning 15 medals including eight gold, four silver and three bronze, finishing top among the 26 countries competing the sport.

Korea wins silver in handball

The Korean women’s handball team was defeated by Russia 36-38 in the gold medal contest; after advancing to the final by finishing atop in group A with four wins and one draw. This was the first time the sport was included in the Universiade.

At the Naju Indoor Gymnasium in South Jeolla Province, Korea had difficulties throughout the game even though Kim On-a scored eight and Ryu Eun-hee and Jung Yu-ra netted five goals.

Korea, who finished the first half 15-22, chased Russia but while narrowing the gap, failed to take advantage of this.

Prior to women’s final, the Korean men’s handball team failed to grab any medal after losing to Switzerland in a penalty shootout in the bronze contest.