Cha Du-Ri weeps as World Cup dream ends
Reuters - Saturday 26 June 2010, 18:55
PORT ELIZABETH - South Korea's Cha Du-Ri,
the son of one of Asia's finest players, broke down on the pitch
when his team failed to qualify for the quarter-finals against
Uruguay in what may be the defender's last World Cup.
The son of Cha Bum-Kun, regarded as one of Asia's best
players of all time, said the 2-1 defeat by Uruguay was
devastating after they controlled much of the game in the second
half.
"We were controlling the game, we had played a great second
half and then to lose like this... that hurts twice as much," he
told Reuters, with tears still welling up in his eyes.
South Korea never gave up after the first early goal from
Luis Suarez and piled the pressure on the South Americans with a
steady stream of counter-attacks.
Midfielder Lee Chung-Yong finally scored the equaliser on
the 68th minute, but it was not enough as Suarez scored the
second shortly after.
"They had two world-class attackers, that paid off today. In
football you also need some luck. That's what we were missing
today," he said.
The fact that this was the first time South Korea qualified
to the knockout stage on foreign soil but failed to progress
made it a double blow, he said.
"We were so close, it's sad, makes you bitter," the
32-year-old said, trying to control his emotions.
"I'm not the youngest anymore either and who knows if I get
to play in another World Cup. That makes it all the sadder."
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