FRANCE 98 – Match Summary n°41

The Red Devils of Belgium were in World Cup hell on Thursday after an inept 1-1 draw with spirited South Korea saw them crash out of the tournament. Belgium lived up to their unwelcome tag of being boring, over-the-hill and shot-shy against a South Korean side who were playing for pride after two damaging defeats.

The boos from their fans as they trooped, with heads bowed, from the Parc Des Princes was a stinging commentary on a team who promised so much but did not have the quality to deliver. Luc Nilis’ strike in the sixth minute should have settled them as they chased the goals that would have given the side a chance of progressing ahead of Mexico, who drew 2-2 with Holland, but they failed to capitalise on that wonderful start.

South Korea, badly wanting their first World Cup win in their 14th match, were more organised and fitter than the Belgians and deserved Yoo Sang-Chul’s second half equaliser. That sparked all-out attack from Belgium but it was too frenzied and frenetic by far and it was South Korea who had the best chances of snatching victory.

Coach Georges Leekens, who said last week that he wanted to stay with the team until after the 2000 Euro Championships, could be on his way out and captain for the day Enzo Scifo may have played his last game. Leekens said he will talk about his future on Friday while Scifo, replaced by the injury-hit Franky Van der Elst after 65 minutes, walked from the ground in angry mood without making any comment.

” We started well but then we collapsed after the first goal. I thought we were ready to go for 4-0. Maybe it’s mental distress that caused the collapse, I don’t know, “ said Leekens. ” South Korea played very relaxed football. In these games you have to get the second goal and we failed to do that. We collapsed after a good start to the game, that was our problem, “ he said. ” We needed people to chase back and get behind the ball but Enzo Scifo was not doing that. I needed to give the side balance so I brought on Franky. This was not the game for Enzo-it did not suit his style of play.  Overall in this World Cup we did not have enough quality. We will have our critics in the next few days, that I know. For myself, I will hold a press conference at 10am in the morning. “

Belgium were dealt a blow before the start when experienced goalkeeper Filip De Wilde lost his race to be fit. He was replaced by Philippe Vande Walle who was making just his third appearance. The team was also without Van Der Elst, their main ball-winner, and injured midfielder Danny Boffin.

Belgium clicked into gear first and captain Scifo collected a poor clearance from Lee Min-Sung and unleashed a long range effort which Kim Byung-Ji did well to palm past for a corner. In the sixth minute Belgium struck. Gordan Vidovic had a header stopped on the line by Kim Do-Keun and PSV Eindhoven striker Nilis was well-placed to hammer home the rebound. It was a welcome goal for the striker who was in the midst of a goal famine.

Scifo came close to making it two after Nilis turned Kim Tae-Young in the box and crossed to the far post but the skipper’s header sailed just wide. The goal, strangely, seemed to settle the South Koreans and the speed of Ha and France-based Seo Jung-Woon on the wings caused the Belgian defence a few problems. Seo was twice caught narrowly offside when straight through on goal.

Buoyed by the news that Holland were beating Mexico 2-0, meaning a win would be good enough to qualify, Belgium went for more firepower by bringing on Mbo Mpenza for the disappointing Luis Oliveira. But it was Korea who nearly grabbed the equaliser in the 48th minute. Captain Yoo Sang-Chul put Lee Min-Sung clear with a through ball but Vande Walle saved his effort with his feet.

Both sides were throwing everything into attack and Nilis turned beautifully in the box before crashing the ball against the bar. Nilis should have done better in the 65th minute when Marc Wilmots picked him out with a through ball but he delayed his shot and Ha cleared the danger.

Scifo, who had failed to dominate the midfield, was substituted by Van Der Elst in the 65th minute to give the Belgium team more bite. In the 71st minute Korea grabbed a deserved equaliser. Ha floated over a free kick which deceived the defence and skipper Yoo scored at the back post.

Choi Yong-Soo, who scored nine goals in qualifying, missed three great chances in the space of seven minutes to put the Koreans in the lead. He headed over twice and then shot weakly past with just the keeper to beat.

” Choi could have snatched the win for us but he was off target, “ said South Korea’s stand-in coach Kim Pyong-Sok. ” This performance gave our spectators a morale boost after our defeats against Holland and Mexico-we owed them something. “

Nilis tested Kim with a low shot in the 90th minute and that proved to be the last chance for Belgium with the boos of their supporters already ringing in their ears.