By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter
The South Korean men’s field hockey team was eliminated from the Beijing Olympics after losing 2-1 against Spain in its final match of the group phase.
The Koreans (2-1-2) never threatened against the familiar foes, who drubbed them 7-2 in a match in June, and barely avoided a shutout with Yoon Sung-hoon’s goal in the closing minutes.
A win would have allowed the Koreans, ranked No. 5 in the world, to advance to the semifinals and deliver on their predictions to add another medal to their silver from the 2000 Sydney Games.
However, their best was not enough against No. 4 Spain, which is 4-1 in the tournament.
The Europeans opened their account with Santiago Freixa’s goal in the 12th minute. Korea’s Seo Jong-ho found himself alone against Spanish goalie Francisco Cortes twice in the closing moments of the first half, but blew both of the scoring chances.
Korea came out with more urgency after halftime, but Frexia killed the buzz with his second goal of the game 18 minutes later.
The Koreans were left to rue missed opportunities again, earning two penalty corners in the last 10 minutes, but wasting both of them.
Yoon’s goal came with less than two minutes left in the game, which was hardly enough time for the Koreans to convert an equalizer.
thkim@koreatimes.co.kr
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