Deflected kicks help South Korea past Iran

MNA – Two shots taking vicious deflection off defenders inspired South Korea into a spirit-raising 2-0 win over Iran in a football friendly in Seoul Wednesday.
The victory was a warm welcome to the former Netherlands manager Dick Advocaat, who took over from compatriot Jo Bonfrere last month, becoming the third Dutchman in less than five years to take charge of South Korea.

The home team had a dream start as Cho Won-hee opened the scoring in the first minute when his drive strayed into the net after hitting defender Mohammad Nosrati’s leg.

Iran could level the match in the 23rd minute. Midfielder Ali Karimi, Asian Player of the Year 2004, who rounded his marker in the box, saw his cross change direction with a home player’s hand, but the referee ruled out a spot-kick.

The friendly had a happy ending for Koreans, who doubled the scoring one minute from normal time. A shot from Kim Jin-kyu passed above the advancing keeper Ebrahim Mirzapur’s hands after getting another deflection from Italy’s Serie A side Messina fullback Rahman Rezaii.

Both Iran and South Korea have already won tickets to Germany, where the 2006 World Cup finals are hosted.