17th Asian Games INCHEON 2014

The South Korean football team won 1-0 against North Korea Thursday in perhaps the most widely anticipated event for Koreans at the Incheon Asian Games.

Playing to an almost fully packed crowd at the Munhak Stadium in Incheon, the two teams played a tight match which went into overtime.

Moments before the whistle blew, South Korea’s Rim Chang-woo scored the winning point in the second extra period to win the nation’s first Asiad gold in men’s football in 28 years.

Coach Lee Kwang-jong called South Korea's lead striker Kim Shin-wook, recovering from an injury, from the bench in the second extra period to turn the tide. Kim’s presence may have intimidated the North’s defensive players, who exposed a gap in the goal area. In the extra minute following 120 minutes of ball playing, Rim's right foot struck the ball into the net.

Thursday's match was the first time in 36 years that the two Koreas have faced each other in a football final. The last time was in 1978 when they shared the first-place podium at the Bangkok Asian Games.

The “One Korea! Unification Shoot Goal In!" banner, which appeared at the South-North women’s football semi-finals, again showed up.