FRANCE 98 – Match Summary n°25
Holland took a giant step towards the last 16 after shattering South Korea’s World Cup dream with a crushing 5-0 win at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday.
A reshuffled Dutch side powered to an emphatic victory with goals from Philip Cocu, Marc Overmars, Dennis Bergkamp, Pierre Van Hooijdonk and Ronald de Boer to go level on four points with Mexico at the top of Group E.
Guus Hiddink’s side were simply too strong in attack for Korea, who will now be heading home following their final game against Belgium after slumping to their worst World Cup defeat since 1954. Following a 3-1 defeat to Mexico in their opening game in Lyon, Cha Bum-Kun’s team needed at least a draw to stay in the competition, but they rarely looked like achieving it against a Holland side with Bergkamp back in attack and close to his best.
Holland, though, are still not guaranteed qualification and coach Guus Hiddink believes his side will face a much tougher test in their final group game against Mexico in St Etienne next week. The Mexicans, who drew 2-2 against Belgium earlier in the day, are also on four points while the Belgians, on two, could still go through if they beat the Koreans and the St Etienne result goes their way. But Hiddink said he was delighted that his side showed they can score goals came from all over the pitch as they powered to their biggest ever World Cup victory. ” It’s always good not to depend on one player for goals, “ he said. ” I was very happy that Cocu scored because I always had confidence that he could play up front.”
Hiddink admitted it took his star-studded side time to find their rhythm, adding: ” I’m delighted by the result although for the first 20 or 25 minutes we didn’t play at the high pace I wanted. That was partly to do with the pitch which we generally like to be a bit wetter to suit a quick tempo. “ But he warned that Holland will face a far stiffer challenge againsty the Mexicans, who showed their battling qualities to come from two goals down to draw with the Belgians. ” It will be a totally different game in different circumstances as it will be in the afternoon, when it will probably be very hot. It will be a much more complicated game than today as they are a very experienced team. The Mexicans showed by coming from two goals down against Belgium today that they are a very difficult side to beat. “
Holland, showing three changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Belgium, produced a flurry of chances midway through the first half before Coco fired them into the lead when he lashed in a superb left foot shot on the turn. Four minutes later they doubled their advantage with a lightning counter-attack started by Bergkamp and clinically finished by his Arsenal colleague Marc Overmars.
Korea, still looking for their first ever win in their fifth World Cup finals, were in danger of being swamped but it was not until the 71st minute that Holland struck a third time. Bergkamp, back in the starting line-up after a six week lay-off with a hamstring injury, showed why we was voted English football’s player of the year when he skipped past two defenders and buried a neat shot into the corner of the net.
Bergkamp was replaced by Nottingham Forest striker Van Hooijdonk, who scored within two minutes of coming on when he powered in a close-range header from Overmars’ left-wing cross. Ajax midfielder Ronald de Boer added to the rout when he thrashed home Holland’s fifth with a rasping drive as the Koreans finally collapsed under wave after orange wave of Dutch attacks.
South Korea coach Cha Bum-Kun admitted his side never had a chance against the rampant Dutch. ” Holland were excellent today and if they continue like this I think they they can win the World Cup final. Against Mexico we simply weren’t good enough, but here we came up against a Holland team who were just invincible.” But the Korean coach said his team will not give up in their final match even though they have nothing left to play for and he insisted the Red Devils will be a force to be reckoned with in four years time ” I promise that against Belgium we will try and win our first ever match in the World Cup, “ he added. ” We are organising the tournament in 2002 and I vow that we will have a team that will perform well then. “
Bergkamp, meanwhile, fired a warning to future opponents when he admitted he was not 100 percent fit. ” It’s good to be back, “ he said. ” I had a number of chances today and it was great to finally get a goal. I’m not fully match fit yet, although I’m improving every day. “