Rio 2016: Last-gasp German goal denies Korea knockout stage
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South Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan shoots during the first half of men's football against Germany at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Sunday. The match was held to a 3-3 draw. / Yonhap
By John Duerden
Few teams would be disappointed on holding Germany to a 3-3 tie but Monday morning Seoul time, South Korea was heartbroken.
In their second game of the 2016 Rio Olympics, the young Taeguk Warriors were seconds away from booking a spot in the last eight of the tournament with a game to spare. Yet with almost the last kick of what had been thrilling match, Serge Gnabry’s 92nd minute free-kick took a deflection off the Korean wall and went into the net.
Korea still tops the group but needs a point against 2012 gold medal winner Mexico in the final game to go through to the quarterfinal. Lose, and it will almost certainly be over.
It had been an energetic performance from the beginning in the Brazilian city of Salvador with Korea taking the lead midway through the first half as Hwang Hee-chan scored through a crowded six-yard area following a corner.
Not for the last time in the game, Germany hit back quickly and Gnarby scored his first eight minutes later with a fine shot from the edge of the area. Ten minutes into the second half, Germany took the lead as David Selke was given space by the Korean defense to run through and score from close range.
Within seconds however, star man Son Heung-min produced a trademark finish, bursting down the left to shoot home. And then with four minutes of time remaining, Korea looked to have won the game. Right-back Lee Seul-chan broke down the right, sent over a low cross and there was substitute Suk Hyun-jun to score from close range.
Yet, it wasn’t all over as with just seconds remaining, Gnarby’s free-kick ended up in the back of the Korean net.
It was a fine performance from the Asian team that came so close to an excellent win yet ended with a tie that feels like a defeat. For those back home preparing for the start of another working week, the spring in the step that would have been there with a win and a place in the knockout stage was removed.
Now it is up to coach Shin to lift his players for the all-important showdown with Mexico who earlier in the day defeated Fiji 5-1 to move second in the group behind Korea.
Mexico will take top spot if it defeats Korea and such a result would also enable Germany to finish second, assuming the Europeans take all three points against Fiji as they almost certainly will.
A point then is needed for Korea. “We will look to get the win against Mexico,” said Shin after the game.
“The players did their best here and the attacking line looked like scoring at any time but we conceded three goals and that was the problem. We will strengthen our defense.”
Thursday morning Seoul time could be very tense indeed.