South Korea still indefectible
By (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-03-04 08:48

South Korea has maintained an indefectible history against China in international soccer matches as China's national under-23 Olympic team embraced a bitter 1-0 loss in their first qualifier for the 2004 Athens Olympics in Seoul, March 3, 2004.

A late goal by forward Cho Jae-jin gave South Korea the victory in Group A of the Asian Olympic soccer qualifying tournament.

The 22-year-old Cho broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute when he scored off a pass from team-mate Choi Sung-kuk.

The Koreans had several chances in the first half, including defender Cho Byung-kuk's header that landed in the hands of Chinese goalkeeper An Qi. The visitors had an opportunity to score in the first-half from a failed header from Du Wei.

In another match in Group A of the under-23 tournament yesterday, two goals by Iman Mobali led Iran to a 4-1 victory over Malaysia 4-1 in their Olympic Games qualifier.

The final round of the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament has 12 teams split into three groups of four. The winner of each group will qualify for the Athens Olympics.

Close