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| Germany roar into World Cup final, end South Korean miracle |
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German midfielder Michael Ballack's winning goal in 75th minute gifted his side a place in the 2002 World Cup final by beating co-hosts and history-makers South Korea1-0 in the semi-final clash in Seoul on Tuesday.
In a flash attack, German forward Oliver Neuville rushed to the goal line from the right wing and sent a cross into the box where Ballack got to the point in time and fired a shot which was knocked out by keeper Lee Woon-jae. But Ballack's second shot passed Lee into the net.
South Korea, the first-ever Asian team into the semi-final stage since the first World Cup, failed to continue their miracle which had seen their incredible wins over soccer powerhouses such as Portugal, Italy and Spain.
German coach Rudi Voeller said after the match: "We were very well organized. We deserve to be there (in the final)."
Voeller, who was a striker on the victorious 1990 German team, lauded match winner Michael Ballack for his courageous play.
"Michael was not fully fit, but he continued playing for the team," Voeller said. "It is very bitter for him to miss the final (for getting his second yellow card on Tuesday)."
German striker Oliver Neuville said: "This is super. It was a deserved victory and we deserve to be in the final. Everything is possible in the final, whoever we play."
German goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn said: "We had watched South Korea carefully and had noticed that they get tired game after game. We knew if we managed to remain compact and tight, it should be enough."
"When you're in the final, you obviously want to win it. The way this World Cup has been going, I could imagine it would be Turkey." Kahn said.
Germany will take on the winner of Brazil-Turkey semi-final match in the World Cup final.
South Korea coach Guus Hiddink said: "In the first half we had a little bit too much respect. We killed ourselves at that moment."
"I have to be realistic and say they're a little more experienced," added the Dutchman.
Asked if his team were tired after rigorous training sessions, Hiddink said: "I don't want to look for many excuses. We didn't have power in the first half and were marking too far away from them and were too respectful. That's also experience."
Hiddink heaped praise on his players.
"We can be proud of the boys on what they did, and not just tonight.... but especially in the long run of the tournament. I'm very proud of how the team performed."
The first 15 minutes of today's match saw the dominance by South Koreans who pressed the German soccer giants to their penalty area with speedy attacks.
Only eight minutes into action, South Korea's forward Lee Chun-soo fired a half-volley from the edge of the box to the far-left corner of the goal, forcing German keeper Oliver Kahn to make a flash diving save.
In the 16th, midfielder Park Ji-sung danced past two defenders along the penalty line, but his left-foot powerful shot which went through the legs of another defender flew directly to Kahn's arms.
In a quick-pace counter attack only after one minute, Germany's forward Oliver Neuville got a clear chance in the arc, but keeper Lee Woon-jae darted out and dived to save the low blast.
Since the 30th, Germans gradually controlled the match and began to beleaguer their opponents' goal, causing many melees at the goal mouth but never converting any scoring chance in the first half. The combative South Koreans used their legs, heads or even bodies to block a string of German shots.
In the second half, relying on their heading powers, Germans carried on the tactics of heading or shooting on crosses from the two wings, which led to the most-wanted goal.
In the 54th, Ahn Jung-hwan, the hero and icon in the eyes of South Koreans, got off the bench and substituted veteran striker Hwang Sun-hong to strengthen the attacking force of his side. Ahn, who headed an equalizer in the group game against the United States and a golden goal in the second round match against Italy, is believed to be the most skillful and good-looking striker in his team.
Ahn Jung-hwan and Park Ji-sung became the major threats to the German defense.
After Germany's goal, South Koreans launched waves of attacks but created few scoring chances. Park Ji-sung missed the best and the last one in the injury time when he ballooned a close-range shot in the box.
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