Defender Rim Chang-Woo smashed home a last-gasp winner from close range to deliver the knockout blow in an emotionally charged final, giving South Korea their fourth title and a first since 1986.
When the final whistle blew , just moments later, the crowd of 47,000 rain-soaked fans erupted with joy, while both sets of players slumped to the wet turf sobbing, having matched each other till the end.
As a reward for their dramatic and symbolic victory in Incheon, South Korea’s players will be excused two years of mandatory military service.
The home side were fortunate to survive a major scare in normal time when Pak Kwang-Ryong thundered a header against the bar after 75 minutes for the North.
South Korea dominated large parts of the game but missed many chances. The scrappy winning goal came from a corner, which Lee Yong-Jae nudged goal-wards and appeared to have crossed the line but Rim made sure with a fierce volley after it dropped to him.
North Korea coach Yun Jong-Su remonstrated furiously with the officials as his players wept uncontrollably and the South celebrated wildly.
Records, controversies continue in Incheon
China’s men’s 4x100m relay team broke the Asian record as they raced to victory at the Asian Games in just 37.99 seconds.
Chen Shiwei, Xie Zhenye, Su Bingtian and Zhang Peimeng became the first Asians to go below 38 seconds. It was also the third best time in the world this year.
Chinese sprint star Zhang said the team had not set out to target the Asian mark.
“I never imagined we would break the record, we just focused on training to win the race,” he said.
Meanwhile, Indian boxer Sarita Devi was facing the prospect of disciplinary action yesterday after she refused a medal at the Asian Games, as organisers called for ‘fair play’ following a series of controversies.
Boxing’s world body opened a case against Devi, 32, after she rejected her bronze medal and condemned judges over a controversial semi-final loss to South Korea’s Park Ji-Na.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2014.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
1714129906-0/Clint-Eastwood-(1)1714129906-0-270x192.webp)
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ