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KOWOC
| Head-to-head: Korea Republic - Turkey |
Korea Republic and Turkey have only met before on three occasions - the last time less than 100 days ago in Bochum, Germany when the Koreans hinted they could make a strong showing at the FIFA World Cup by holding Turkey to a scoreless draw, despite the loud support from the Ruhr Valley´s Turkish community.
The first direct encounter between the two nations was a FIFA World Cup first stage match which took place in Geneva, Switzerland in 1954 where the Koreans paid dearly for their lack of international inexperience and conceded seven goals to the Turks. Turkey fell three days later in a group play-off to Germany FR and thus failed to advance to the quarter-finals.
Overall Record:
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Wins
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Losses
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Draws
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GF
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GA
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Turkey
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2
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0
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1
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8
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0
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Korea Rep.
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0
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2
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1
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0
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8
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Match Results:
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Date
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Venue
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Match
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Result
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Competition
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26.03.2002
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Bochum, GER
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Turkey v Korea Rep.
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0-0
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Friendly
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18.10.1961
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Istanbul, TUR
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Turkey v Korea Rep.
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1-0
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Friendly
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20.06.1954
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Geneva, SUI
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Turkey v Korea Rep.
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7-0
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FIFA World Cup
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Turkey and South Korea in evenly-contested 0-0 draw
South Korea and Turkey played out a 0-0 draw in a physical game in Bochum, Germany.
The packed crowd, mainly made up of Turkish fans, gave the teams a taste of the type of atmosphere they can expect this summer in Korea/Japan. Both sides were close to full-strength, and no doubt similar to those that will take to the pitch for their first FIFA World Cup™ games in just over two months time.
Turkey, in particular, looked determined to restore pride after mounting criticism from fans and the media following a 1-0 defeat to Ecuador in their last warm-up game.
South Korea made their intentions clear right from the kick-off. Some wholehearted challenges in the middle of the park signalled their intent to seize the intiative. Turkey gave no ground, though, responded in kind, and the tone was set for the rest of the encounter.
Throughout the first half, Turkey harried their opponents, closing down the South Koreans whenever it looked like they had created an opening. The first half ended scoreless, with neither side having created a chance.
Not surprisingly, South Korea's defence kept a close eye on veteran Turkish striker Hakan SUKUR throughout, and their tactics worked well - the "Bull of the Bosphorous" hardly had a look in all game.
South Korea's Dutch coach Guus HIDDINK tried out a flat back line, and will have been pleased at the number of times his defence stepped up to catch the Turkish forwards offside.
Turkey did have a couple of chances in the second half, going close with a threatening overhead kick in the 71st minute, and an inswinging corner that South Korean goalkeeper Byung-ji KIM did well to keep out.
Having been beaten by Turkey on the other two occasions the teams met (7-0 way back in the 1954 FIFA World Cup Switzerland™ and 1-0 in a 1961 friendly), South Korea will be content with a well-earned draw.
For Turkish coach Senol GUNES, a Korean War veteran, the first match with South Korea in 41 years must have had a special meaning. Above all, though, it was a good work-out for both teams, giving both coaches plenty of food for thought in the run-up to the World Cup.
[source : FIFA Communications Division]
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