Hat trick blast sinks toiling Turkmenistan
Published: 15 Jun. 2008, 20:44
Korea’s Kim Do-heon, right, tries to drive past Turkmenistan’s Didar Hajiyev during their World Cup qualification match Saturday in Turkmenistan. Kim scored a hat trick in Korea’s 3-1 win. [YONHAP]
Kim netted three goals as South Korea defeated the home team Turkmenistan 3-1 in third round play of the regional qualification for the 2010 World Cup. South Korea has clinched a spot in the next and final qualification round, sitting at three wins and two draws for 11 points with one game left to play.
South Korea entered the Turkmenistan game assured of at least second place in their group. Earlier on Saturday, North Korea defeated Jordan 2-0 in Pyongyang to move to 11 points, also securing a ticket to the next round and eliminating Jordan. Hong Yong-jo netted both goals for the North.
Jordan only has four points with one game left to play. There are five groups of four in the third round and the top two nations from each group punch their tickets for the next round. The two Koreas face off on June 22 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
In Turkmenistan, Kim made sure the South Korean squad didn’t miss Park, the Manchester United midfielder, who was out of lineup with recurring pain in his surgically repaired right knee. Kim, who plays for Premier League club West Bromwich Albion, put Korea on board with a mid-range strike in the 14th minute. After Turkmenistan tied it up with a penalty kick by Guvanchmuhamed Ovekov in the 76th minute, Kim scored the go-ahead marker five minutes later on a nifty passing play off a free kick just outside the box.
Kim then put the game away with a penalty kick of his own in second-half injury time. This was the first hat trick by a South Korean in international play since Jung Jo-gook had three goals against Taiwan in the Asian Cup qualification in September 2006. And Kim dedicated the rare feat to his pregnant wife, Jeong Hye-won.
“Sunday is my wife’s birthday and this is the perfect gift,” Kim told Korean reporters after the game. Jeong is expecting in August.
“This was my first start of this round and I was quite anxious. But I played my best and was fortunate to score three times.”
Kim, 25, had not seen much action in recent national team play because Park, 27, also plays as attacking midfielder. But once he got his starting assignment, Kim pounced on the opportunity.
After the game, Kim said he wasn’t really supposed to kick the penalty. Forward Park Chu-young, who had scored twice in penalty kicks in the past two games, was the designated kicker but Park let him have a crack at the hat trick.
“I am very grateful,” Kim said with a smile.
Korean head coach Huh Jung-moo also had reason to smile. He had said the immediate goal was to reach the next round and the mission has been accomplished.
“The past two road games were tough but the players came through,” Huh said. “We knew we had made the next round before the game. We used this game to test different strategies.”
Of Kim’s performance, Huh said, “Kim is an important player and his versatility makes our team stronger. It makes the coach’s job a lot easier when guys who don’t play much step up when called to action.”
Huh also said there’s more work to do for his squad.
“We need better touch around the net,” he said. “And on defense, we tend to break down and give up chances when we’re ahead. We must tighten up and could really use a defensive leader.”
Huh then said although the two Koreas will have nothing at stake when they meet next week, “I would like to end this round on a wining note.”
On other notes, goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong gave up his first goal in four games in the third round. It was also Turkmenistan’s first goal this round. Midfielder Choi Hyo-jin played his first game in a national team uniform as a second-half substitute. He is the 14th player to make a national team debut under Huh.
Other Asian nations also advanced to the next round of regional qualification. Australia did so with a 3-1 win over Qatar in Group 1. Qatar and Iraq will battle for one remaining spot next week in Dubai.
In Group 2, Japan beat Thailand 3-0 to progress, and Bahrain drew 1-1 against Oman to make the final phase. Saudi Arabia beat Singapore 2-0 to join Uzbekistan in qualifying for Group 4.
Finally, Iran clinched a berth with a 2-0 win at Syria in Group 5. United Arab Emirates needs a draw against Syria in their final game in Group 5 to advance.
By Yoo Jee-ho Staff Reporter [jeeho@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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