30 June 2002, 00:00 Seoul - Tokyo
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It was always going to be a red day on the final performance in Korea of the first Asian football finals. But there were no red faces as Turkey overcame co-hosts Korea and their 12th man to claim third place in one of the most exciting matches of the tournament.
Both teams were in unchartered waters entering their seventh match of the competition, four more than either had ever played before. But instead of freezing, the two teams played a red hot final game, living up to their reputation among the most entertaining sides.
It was a fond farewell to Korea as once again the legions were out in full force underling in red ink the successful staging of the finals. And it appeared that the Dutchman had given free-reign to his Taeguk Warriors to enjoy themselves and have fun in front of their darling supporters. adidas Golden Ball nominee Hong Myung-Bo may have taken his advice too literally. Korea’s captain gifted the ball to Turkey’s No9 Hakan Sukur, who calmly side-footed the ball home. The Parma player had gone 500 minutes in the tournament without finding the net, quite a record for the country’s star striker. But that will quickly be forgotten and replaced by another – the fastest goal in FIFA World Cup™ history. Sukur needed just 11 seconds to get his debut goal, beating Czechoslovakia’s Vaclav Masek strike against Mexico in Chile 62 by four seconds. And all this without his partner Hasan Sas.
The early strike sparked a football fiesta. In a throwback to the pure game and to thank their revelling Red Devil support, the fighting Koreans found new reserves of energy and attacked and attacked.
But Hiddink, whose iconic status was demonstrated by his portrait popping up as the red sea of support ebbed and flowed around the Daegu stadium, must once again settle for fourth place, finally emulating his finish with the much more fancied Holland four years ago.
For Koreans now the future is blurry. As always the Red Devils will revel long into Eastern night, but dawn will bring a new light to the land of the morning calm. For a month, the vast majority of the population have been on cloud nine. Now they must come down and reflect on their historic and remarkable achievement.
For Turkey, a third place finish in only their second tournament and their first since Switzerland 54, will have delighted millions more on the streets further west. After downing both co-hosts, Senol Gunes’ men proved they have the will and ability to compete at the highest level for years to come.
But tomorrow brings another day and the final. Ironically, in a tournament of surprises, the two most successful footballing nations face each other for the first time. And that being a surprise to many so-called experts pre-tournament predictions. Surely there is nothing left in this tournament in the East that can cause further shock. But, as the finals moves from Korea to Yokohama, Japan could there be yet one more twist…