South Korea's world cup dream continues, defeating Spain in the quarterfinal match in Gwangju, Korea Saturday. South Korea and Spain were level at zero to zero for the 90 minute regulation time and the 30 minute extra time. In the penalty shootout, however, South Korea beat Spain by making all the five goals. In a tough match under the sweltering heat at Gwangju World Cup Stadium, the two sides seemed sluggish compared to their fast paced play showdown in previous matches. Spain seemed to be in a better condition and had several good chances. The two squads were unable to break the tie and had to settle for a zero to zero draw through a penalty shootout which Korea won five to three. It is the first time in the world cup history for an Asian team to make it to the last four. South Korea will meet another European soccer power, Germany at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Tuesday.



South Korea in the semis as Spain crash out

Hong Myung-bo held his nerve to score the winning penalty in a shootout with Spain on Saturday to send South Korea into the semifinals of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

After 120 minutes of goalless football, Joaquin missed the vital kick to give Hong the chance to put his team through, though Lee Woon-jae's save from the unfortunate Spaniard will probably be remembered as the most important penalty stop in South Korean football history.

Hiddink stuck with the same lineup that beat both Portugal and Italy in prior rounds, though his plans were disrupted in the 32nd minute by the departure of Kim Nam-il, who succumbed to the ankle injury he sustained against the Italians earlier in the week.

Spain, minus the injured Raul, opted for the dangerous Joaquin on the right and De Pedro on the left with Fernando Morientes as the lone striker.

In a nervous opening period for the home side, Korea had trouble keeping the ball in their opponents' half while the Spanish seemed at ease with the ball at their feet in any part of the field.

Indeed, all the goalmouth action in the first half came in front of Lee Woon-jae, who had to look lively to gather a Morientes header at the near post after 27 minutes.

The Real Madrid striker came within a whisker of snatching the opening goal four minutes before half time, sliding in behind the Korean defense but just out of reach of Joaquin's swirling center.

Joaquin really looked in the mood to stake his claim for a regular place in the Spanish lineup and just seconds before the break, embarked on a terrific solo run that took him from inside his own half to the edge of the Korean penalty area, leaving a string of defenders trailing in his wake.

Thankfully for the South Koreans, Song Chong-gug blocked his goal-bound effort with his body before further damage could be done.

The second period began with a bang, Spain having a goal chopped off for some pushing and shoving in the box while at the other end, Puyol blocked a shot from Lee Chun-soo only yards from goal, with Iker Casillas making a splendid stop from Park Ji-sung's volley on the rebound.

As regulation time wore on, Joaquin looked increasingly menacing and his rifled effort from just outside the box in the 71st minute shaved the outside of Lee Woon-jae's left hand post.

South Korea began to gain some momentum in the final few minutes but despite some promising build up play from Seol Ki-hyeon, Lee Chun-soo and Park Ji-sung, the road to the Spanish goal always seemed blocked by the imposing central defensive
partnership of Ivan Helguera and Fernando Hierro.

In the thirty minutes of extra time, Morientes came closest to sealing the Spanish win, picking up a quick Joaquin throw-in before swiveling and striking the ball against the post with Lee Woon-jae beaten.

Seol Ki-hyeon also came close with a volleyed effort but with no Golden Goal the referee blew the whistle right on the 30 minute mark to signal the start of the penalty kick competition.

Hwang Sun-hong, Park Ji-sung, Seol Ki-hyeon and Ahn Jung-hwan scored their spot-kicks before Hong wrote another new chapter in South Korean footballing history.