Argentina 4 - 1 South Korea ; Higuain hat-trick

• TIB657M

  17 Jun 10, 21:21

  Originally posted by SevenEleven:

  They are of diff class. I deserve to lose

  
  It looks like Asian Team still can't fight with those American & Europe top country teams lol.

• SGporkz

  17 Jun 10, 21:25

  well..so this is argentina strike force... fast and creative..

  hopefully they can go far .

• hasene

  17 Jun 10, 21:27

  This is the only WC match that played up to my expectation.

  Well done, Argentina!  Hope you win the World Cup this year

• SGporkz

  17 Jun 10, 21:28

  Originally posted by TIB657M:

  
  It looks like Asian Team still can't fight with those American & Europe top country teams lol.

  how..asian team dont have much exposure compared to them...it will still take many years for asian football to catch up..

  d.millto is the last choice ? why he nv get to play 1..

• hasene

  17 Jun 10, 21:28

  Originally posted by TIB657M:

  
  It looks like Asian Team still can't fight with those American & Europe top country teams lol.

  
  Takes time for them to be on the same par.

• TIB657M

  17 Jun 10, 21:29

  Now it is Korea and Nigeria to fight for second spot. If Nigeria win tonight, Korea will drop to 3rd spot.

• AEW5001

  17 Jun 10, 21:30

  Nigeria shld be expected to win against lowly Greece tonite.

• Poignant

  17 Jun 10, 21:33

  Originally posted by SGporkz:

   

  d.millto is the last choice ? why he nv get to play 1..

  reasonable imo.

  when you have higuain, tevez, augero. milito will surely be the last choice

• Poignant

  17 Jun 10, 21:36

  Higuain hits hat-trick

  Argentina all but booked their place in the second round of the World Cup finals with a 4-1 thrashing of South Korea. An own goal from Park Chu-Young gave them the lead before Gonzalo Higuaín doubled the advantage. Lee Chung-Yong gave Korea hope but two late goals from Higuain, completing the first World Cup hat-trick since Pauleta in 2002, sealed the victory.

• Poignant

  17 Jun 10, 21:37

  MATCH SUMMARY

   
• Man of the Match: Gonzalo Higuain - The Real Madrid forward missed a succession of chances in Argentina's opening game against Nigeria and his place looked to be in some doubt. However, Higuain responded with a deadly performance when scoring three predatory goals against South Korea, even if he was indebted to some expert service from his team-mates. After scoring 27 goals in Spain last season, he now leads the race for the Golden Boot.

   

• Argentina verdict: This was the Albiceleste at their sumptuous best in attack, with Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Higuain a constant threat to a cowering South Korean backline. Defensive concerns remain, particularly given an aberration from Martin Demichelis that allowed Lee Chung-Yong to score, but the lasting image will be a glorious fourth goal that was the best of the tournament so far. Forget those reservations about Diego Maradona as a coach - he appears to be getting the best out of this talented side.

   

• South Korea verdict: A fine opening win over Greece looks a long time ago now after a performance that lacked belief. They were overawed by the Argentina attack and restricted to efforts from long range. South Korea remain tidy in possession, but they lacked the nous to exploit any weakness in the Argentina defence, Lee's goal aside. Will need to get this game out of their thoughts before their final game against Nigeria.

   

• Could do better: Gabriel Heinze - As Argentina lit up the competition with a fine performance, it was left to Heinze to practice the dark arks as he repeatedly indulged in simulation and even had the audacity to moan at the referee when shown a yellow card for a blatant handball.

   

• Stat attack: Higuain's hat-trick was the first in the World Cup since Pauleta scored three for Portugal in 2002 against Poland. It was Argentina's first since Gabriel Batistuta against Jamaica in 1998.