South Korea hold Uruguay to 0-0 draw at World Cup

AL RAYYAN, Qatar: Another favored team have failed to impress in the early stages of the World Cup. This time they were South Korea holding South American power Uruguay to a 0-0 draw on Thursday, a result that probably favors the Asian team. The draw at Education City Stadium was yet another early World Cup match with a surprising result.

Argentina and Germany both lost their opening games in major upsets. This one hinted at being another. Uruguay coach Diego Alonso said he was satisfied, and so did South Korea counterpart Paulo Bento.

Alonso sounded less convincing. “I’m more than happy with the result,” Alonso said. “I’m sure that this group stage will be determined by the last match.

We all know the second game is key, and so is the third one. But this will not affect whether we qualify of not.” Uruguay will next face Portugal in Group H while South Korea plays Ghana, with both games on Monday. The top two teams in the group will advance to the round of 16.

South Korea, with forward Son Heung-min wearing a mask to protect a broken left eye socket, always looked the more likely to score against the more experienced Uruguayans. The South Koreans were quicker, pressing from the opening whistle. Many South Korean fans wore Batman-like masks in solidarity with Son, who was injured on Nov.

2 in a Champions League match playing for English club Tottenham. He had a few early chances but seemed to tire in the second half. “He (Son) had a serious injury,” Bento said.

“He was inactive for a considerable amount of time. He could only get back with the team in the recent days. And of course it’s natural after an injury that it will take time some time to adapt.