Korea wins but almost throws it away against China

South Korean midfielder Lee Chung-yong celebrates after heading in the second goal during the first game in the final round of qualifications for the 2018 World Cup against China at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo, Thursday. South Korea defeated China 3-2. / Yonhap

By John Duerden

Korea was delighted to defeat China 3-2 in its first game in the final round of qualification for the 2018 World Cup at Seoul World Cup Stadium, Thursday, but it was a lot harder than it needed to be.

With 16 minutes remaining, Korea was winning 3-0 and the Chinese looked beaten but then two goals in quick succession from the visitors made it a very tense final ten minutes or so for the home fans. In the end, all were very relieved to hear the final whistle.

The game started as many expected it would, with Korea holding the ball and China sitting back. After 15 minutes, the host had enjoyed almost 80 percent of possession but had struggled to make any clear chances.

That changed midway through the first half. Oh Jae-suk burst free down the left side but was brought down just outside the area. The home fans had called for a penalty but it did not matter as Son Heung-min crossed into the busy penalty area, Ji Dong-won got a touch and so did Zheng Zhi and Korea had the lead.

For a while, China lost all shape and discipline and Korea looked likely to score a second. It never came and the visitors, roared on by around 8,000 fans, started to create chances.

Lapses in defensive concentration gave Wu Lei two chances. One was well-stopped by Hong Jeong-ho but the other the striker fired wide from a good position. If nothing else, it increased Chinese confidence that there were weaknesses to exploit.

China started the second half brightly and Korea was relieved to get a second goal just after the hour mark. Lee Chung-yong climbed high at the far post to head Ji Dong-won’s perfect cross into the net.

And when Koo Ja-cheol quickly added a third, the game was as good as over as Seoul World Cup Stadium entered celebratory mood and soon after, Son Heung-min almost scored a spectacular fourth.

But with 15 minutes remaining Hai Yu took advantage of some sloppy defending to shoot home from inside the area and when Hao Junmin fired home a free-kick a moment later, the atmosphere in the stadium changed completely.

Self-belief was surging through the Chinese team and Team Dragon poured forward in search of an equalizer that had seemed so unlikely just a few minutes before. There was some desperate defending on both sides but Korea hung on for a vital win.

Korea travels to Malaysia for the second game in Group A, a match against Syria just outside Kuala Lumpur.