South Korea crush Hong Kong in Tokyo
Reuters - Sunday 07 February 2010, 13:09
TOKYO - Holders South Korea thrashed Hong
Kong 5-0 in their opening game at the East Asian championship on
Sunday to inject some life into the four-team tournament.
Captain Kim Jung-woo headed the Koreans in front in the 10th
minute in Tokyo before goals from Koo Ja-cheol, Lee Dong-gook
and a superb Lee Seung-yeoul strike made it 4-0 at half-time.
World Cup-bound South Korea took their foot off the
accelerator after the break and substitute No Byung-jun
completed the rout with a tap-in in injury time.
"I'm delighted with the result and my players," Korean coach
Huh Jung-moo told reporters after his side gained a
psychological edge over struggling Japan.
"The movement was good and we looked dangerous in attack. A
lot of meticulous work goes in on the training ground to produce
a display like that. I thank my players for their hard work."
Hosts Japan were fortunate to escape with a goalless draw
against China in Saturday's opening game after the away side
missed a late penalty.
Huh praised his young side for their attacking play in the
absence of Europe-based players such as Manchester United's Park
Ji-sung.
"They deserve credit for their work rate and the way they
continued to push," he said. "The future looks bright."
Hong Kong's Korean coach Kim Pan-gon also praised the
winners.
"Korea's finishing was quality," he said. "Their speed and
power gives them an advantage over most teams in Asia."
South Korea face China on Wednesday before meeting fierce
rivals Japan at the weekend in the final game of the
competition.