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(LEAD) S. Korea squeaks past New Zealand in veteran's int'l swan song

All News 22:43 March 31, 2015

(ATTN: ADDS comments, photo; CHANGES time of goal in para 2)
By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea squeezed past New Zealand 1-0 in their football friendly on Tuesday, sending off veteran defender Cha Du-ri on a winning note in his final international contest.

Substitute Lee Jae-sung scored the eventual winner in the 86th minute on a rainy evening at Seoul World Cup Stadium, after the 56th-ranked South Korea struggled for most of the match against the feisty Kiwis, ranked 134th.

Cha, 34, wore the captain's armband in the first half and played for 42 minutes, before leaving to a rousing standing ovation to end his international career with 76 caps. Then after Lee's goal, the South Korean players went to the bench to embrace Cha in celebration.

It was South Korea's final international contest before the third round of the Asian qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup begins in June.

The teams ended the first half without a goal, with South Korean midfielder Son Heung-min unable to convert a penalty in the late stretch.

South Korea controlled the ball early, but it was New Zealand that had the match's first shot. In the eighth, forward Christopher Wood tried to volley in a corner but bounced it right into the arms of goalkeeper Kim Jin-hyeon.

On the other end, Kim Ju-young's header off a corner bounced just wide of the left post in the 20th minute.

Three minutes later, again off a corner, it was Ki Sung-yueng who tried to redirect it in with a diving header, only to have it sail outside the left post.

Wood, virtually carrying the New Zealand offense by himself, was at it again in the 24th. He secured a loose ball near the midfield, shook off defender Kim Ju-young and launched a rocket that flew above the bar.

The Kiwis tried to keep the pressure on but couldn't muster much. South Korea then had its best opportunity in the 37th, as midfielder Han Kyo-won drew a penalty when he was brought down hard by goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic on the left edge of the box.

Marinovic, though, atoned for his own miscue, diving to his right to deny Son on the ensuing penalty.

The Kiwi goalkeeper, in his international debut, was even more spectacular in the 39th minute, robbing Ji Dong-won of a sure goal on a header from the point-blank range.

Apparently inspired by a poignant retirement ceremony for Cha at halftime, the South Koreans came out with more oomph in the second half. Substitute Koo Ja-cheol got off a low, driving shot from the right wing in the 52nd minute, though Marinovic once again was up for the challenge.

Six minutes later, Son took a nifty feed from Park Joo-ho at the arc but rolled one wide of the left post.

South Korea had a goal called back in the 61st minute, as a corner went off Ji Dong-won's left arm and forehead into the net. Ji received a yellow card for that infraction.

Over the next 20 minutes or so, the South Koreans kept misfiring at the net. When the match seemed destined for a draw, Lee Jae-sung, playing in just his second international match, came through.

Kim Bo-kyung took control of the ball near the penalty area and got off a low shot as he fell. Marinovic couldn't quite corral the ball, and Lee was left all alone as he banged home the rebound.

South Korea head coach Uli Stielike said his team faced a "physical and enthusiastic" New Zealand team and earned every bit of the victory.

"People might say we were lucky to score so late in the match," Stielike said. "But given that we had the penalty in the first half and had two or three more great opportunities, I think we deserved to win tonight."

New Zealand boss Anthony Hudson said playing here was "a great challenge" for his squad.

"We played against one of the top teams in Asia and we want to test ourselves against the best," he said. " Overall, I thought the team was very competitive. I thought the players showed incredible spirit. I thought they tried from the start to finish to win the game."

jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)

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