World Cup 2010

Serbia 1-0 South Korea: Nikola Zigic Ends Epic Unbeaten Run

The White Eagles overcame the Taeguk Warriors...

Nov 18, 2009 4:13:19 PM

Nikola Zigic, the new serbian player of Racing (AFP)

Photo Gallery

Zoom

Nikola Zigic, the new serbian player of Racing (AFP)

Teams

An early goal from Nikola Zigic ended South Korea’s 27-match unbeaten run as Serbia triumphed 1-0 in a friendly in London on Wednesday afternoon.

The Valencia star scored the only goal of an entertaining and open match between the two 2010 World Cup qualifiers at Fulham FC’s Craven Cottage Stadium though Korea will feel they deserved something from the game.

Serbia started strongly and Korea’s Kim Young-kwang was the first goalkeeper to make a save, touching a free-kick from Danko Lazovic round the post.

From the resultant corner, he was in action again, turning a Nemanja Vidic shot away from danger.

There was not much Kim could do two minutes later as Zigic to flicked a cross smartly into the far corner from near the penalty spot

Korea almost hit back five minutes later as Vladamir Stojkovic had to tip a long-range effort from Kim Nam-il over the bar.

The Asian team started to settle down and enjoyed more and more possession but the team lacked a real cutting edge in attack and struggled to turn promising positions into clear cut chances.

The second half saw more of the same but there was more intensity and pace to the Korean play and the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists pushed forward.

Just after the hour Bolton Wanderers’ star Lee Chung-yong had a goal ruled out for offside and moments later, the winger shot straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.

A slew of substitutions from both teams slowed the game down but with time running out, the impressive Lee Young-pyo forced a good save from the goalkeeper with a shot from outside the area.

Seconds later, Lee Chung-yong rounded Stojkovic but couldn’t thread the ball through a sea of white shirts.

Milos Krasic, one of the White Eagles' best performers, almost doubled the scoreline late in the game but his low shot was well-saved by Kim.

The solid Serbian defence held firm and in the end, it was the European team that took the win.

Thank you for your comment!

Please enter your name

Please enter your location

Please share your comment!