South Korea lead Greece at half-time

South Korea led Greece 1-0 at half-time in the opening Group B fixture at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium on day two at the World Cup here on Saturday.

The 2002 co-hosts grabbed a seventh minute lead against the run of play, when Celtic’s Ki Sung Yueng’s freekick from beside the left corner flag skimmed over the heads of the Greek defence for Lee Jung Soo to volley in at the far post.

Considering it was Greece with their far superior statures that were supposed to present the setpiece threat the manner of Korea’s goal will have come as a nasty surprise to the Euro 2004 champions.

Understandably their manager Otto Rehhagel did not look the happiest person among the crowd at the three-quarter full 42,000-capacity stadium in this Eastern Cape port.

The Koreans proceeded to run rings round the Greeks and were close to a second goal in the 27th minute after skipper Park Ji Sung’s superb through ball found Park Chu Young only for the Monaco striker’s shot to be deflected over the crossbar by keeper Alexandros Tzorvas.

Group B favourites Argentina take on Nigeria later on Saturday at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.