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American Morning

U.S. Soccer Team Ties South Korea

Aired June 10, 2002 - 07:50   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. soccer team, another step closer to making it through to round two of the World Cup. The U.S. took the lead the first half against South Korea, but later, the Koreans scored the equalizer, 1-1. In the end, it was a draw. The U.S. now only needs to tie Poland in the next match to advance.

More than 60,000 crammed the stadium there, and Tim Lister saw it all for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TIM LISTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Soccer fever in Seoul, an estimated one million people took to the streets across South Korea to watch the much-awaited clash with the United States on giant television screens. Even steady rain could not dull the tension and excitement. With both teams winning their opening games, the victor today would almost certainly qualify for the second round of the World Cup.

And in case passion should get out of hand, police cordoned off the U.S. Embassy, where staff was sent home a few hours before the game. Inside the stadium at Daegu, 65,000 passionate fans, including a sizable American minority.

After South Korea missed an early chance, the U.S. team grew in confidence. And from a Frankie Hejduk cross, Clint Mathis controlled and finished immaculately. The host had a great chance to level the score just before half time, but U.S. keeper Brad Friedel saved Eul- yong Lee's penalty.

The second half saw consistent Korean pressure, but just as a team, there was no way through, Ahn Jung-hwan with the home team level. For the drenched masses on the streets of Seoul, it was as if they had won the World Cup.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LISTER: But of course, they didn't win, and both teams face a very difficult task in their last games, with the United States playing Poland on Friday -- Bill.

HEMMER: Tim, I have got to think the South Korean team has an enormous advantage. Everywhere they go in that country to play their matches, you are getting tens of thousands of people who will not stop screaming. Could you tell whether or not that was an advantage for the South Koreans against the U.S. in this match?

LISTER: Oh, the U.S. coach said it was like they were having a 12th man on the field. The South Koreans are passionate about their soccer. They have very organized cheerleading groups, and they never stop the noise.

They gathered here in the streets of Seoul about three hours before the kickoff, and they shouted and they screamed and they cheered throughout the game. There is real passion for the game here, and it must have been very daunting for the U.S. team to be on that field in Daegu this afternoon with about 63,000 or 65,000 fans against them -- Bill.

HEMMER: Boy, we bet you. Thank you, Tim -- Tim Lister in Seoul, South Korea watching the World Cup action for us.

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