Korea shut the World Cup door on Pakistan

DEFENDING Asia Cup champions South Korea edged Pakistan out of the World Cup for the first time since 1971, with a polished 2-1 win at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh yesterday.
  But the Korean win dragged World League Fourth Reserves India into the World Cup, even before they played  in the second semi-finals against Malaysia.
   This is because Malaysia and Korea had already qualified for the World Cup, and it does not matter if India, Malaysia or Korea win the Asia Cup title on Sunday -- India will play in the Netherlands World Cup next year. 
   "I'm sorry that Pakistan will not play in the World Cup, but at the same time congratulations to Malaysia and India. Malaysia will be back in the World Cup after 12 years, and they have worked hard for it," said Korean coach Shin Seok Kyo.
    South Korea played like it was a friendly match, and 20 minutes into the first half, they had yet to take a single shot at goal.
  Pakistan looked more desperate as they pushed forward, but skipper Muhammad Imran shot wide a third minute penalty corner.
   The Pakistan forwards kept making inroads with fast breaks, but either shot wide, or were stopped by goalkeeper Lee Myung Ho.
   But with six minutes to the break, Korea finally won their first penalty corner and Jang Jong Hyun scored his seventh goal of the tournament.
   Playing under a constant drizzle, Korea took the lead into the break, as Pakistan plan a comeback to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
   Korea were again the better side, and increased the lead off Lee Nam Yong in the 40th minute, when the veteran picked up a penalty corener rebound and tucked in the ball from close range.
    But Pakistan refused to break down, and increased the tempo of the match and finally narrowed the gap to 1-2 off their third penalty corner. This time, Imran was on target with a sizzler in the 46th minute.
    Pakistan fought gallantly for the equaliser, pushing every man forward and even took out the goalkeeper Salman Akbar and replacing him with a kicking back when only two minutes remained in the match.
   But the equaliser never came and Pakistan were bundled out of the World Cup for the first time since its inception in 1971.
   
           
   RESULTS: Semi-finals -- Pakistan 1 South Korea 2; Malaysia x India x.
   Fifth-Eighth: Japan 3 Bangladesh 0, Oman 2 Taiwan 2 (Oman win shoot-out).
   SATURDAY: Fifth-Sixth -- Japan v Oman (8pm); Seventh-Eigtht: Taiwan v Bangladesh (5.30pm).
   SUNDAY: Final -- South Korea v x (8pm); Third-Fourth: Pakistan v x (5.35pm).