Sport

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AP):

South Korea eased to a 2-0 win over a lacklustre Greece side in yesterday's first Group B match of the World Cup.

Lee Jung-soo tapped in unmarked to open the scoring in the seventh minute at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and captain Park Ji-sung doubled the lead in the 52nd with a slick solo goal.

The Manchester United midfielder collected a misplaced pass from Vassilis Torosidis and skipped past two defenders before slipping a shot across goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas and in at the far post.

Striker Park Chu-young had another three chances to score for South Korea and Fanis Gekas had a shot saved with 10 minutes left for what was Greece's first clear effort.

"If we had been a little bit calmer, we could have had an even better result," South Korea coach Huh Jung-moo said. "In terms of scoring goals, it could have been a little bit better for us."

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel stood on the touchline at the end of his team's fourth straight World Cup finals defeat, his hands on his hips and a fierce scowl on his face.

"We really have to get our act together," Rehhagel said. "We've got to improve a couple of things and be brave and courageous enough."

Nigeria, Greece's next opponent, lost 1-0 to Argentina in yesterday's other Group B match.

In the two-thirds full 45,000-seat stadium, South Korea spent much of the opening minutes giving the ball away to the former European champions and defending desperately. But they scored from their first real chance.

Ki Sung-yong curled in a free kick with his right foot from near the left corner flag and the ball brushed the top of Konstantinos Katsouranis' head before reaching Lee at the far post, where the central defender easily tapped into an unguarded net.

"You've got 18 people in the penalty area and there is a hard hit cross, anything can happen if the defender doesn't head away the ball properly," Rehhagel said.

Rehhagel took off captain Giorgos Karagounis at the interval but South Korea continued to dominate despite Greece's adventurous three-man attack and Park Ji-sung made it 2-0.

Torosidis gave the ball away to Park midway inside his own half. Park surged forward and beat two sliding tackles before coolly scoring with a low shot.

"We said we shouldn't sit on our laurels and we should attack," Huh said. "I said at half-time that we would have more opportunities and we should take advantage."

Greece mustered only a couple of blocked shots and appealed desperately for a late penalty when Gekas' shot hit a defender. The South Korean had his arms raised but replays showed the ball hit his body.

South Korea face Argentina on Thursday

Line-ups

South Korea: Jung Sung-ryong, Cha Du-ri, Cho Yong-hyung, Lee Jung-soo , Lee Young-pyo, Kim Jung-woo, Ki Sung-yong (Kim Nam-il, 74), Lee Chung-yong (Kim Jae-sung, 90), Park Ji-sung, Yeom Ki-hun, Park Chu-young (Lee Seung-ryul, 87).

Greece: Alexandros Tzorvas, Avraam Papadopoulos, Giourkas Seitaridis, Vassillis Torosidis, Loukas Vyntra, Giorgos Karagounis (Christos Patsatzoglou, 46), Konstantinos Katsouranis, Alexandros Tziolis, Angelos Charisteas (Pantelis Kapetanos, 61), Fanis Gekas, Georgios Samaras (Dimitris Salpingidis, 59).