S Korea beats Japan 2-0 to win soccer bronze

Saw this coming... so now are the soccer guys going home in the back of the plane?

The men mailed that one in. I assume they'll be carrying the bags for the women's team on the flight home.

YES Japan appeared to sink into the earth after the first RSK goal. My wife said, watch they (Japan) will give up and then in the last five minutes they will get a sense of urgency. She was spot on.

The Korean players are definitely off the hook now for military service.

The Japanese players have always been off the hook for military service.

Congratulations to Korea! Japan didn't "give up" like so many are saying here. They looked exhausted though in the second half. I would've liked to have seen Kagawa on this team, but you gotta play with the cards you've been dealt I suppose. Again, congratulations Korea, enjoy your bronze!

So I guess they are off the hook for military service now?

Congratulations, ROK. I've been reading posts on the reactions of South Koreans about the win and they are so happy. Super Junior's Eunhyuk was actually crying he was so happy. Congrats again.

may every boy band there bust a move.

Not a good game at all. My wife said, "we didn't try, we were lazy and deserved to lose that game".

i think japanese players sort of gave up the game especially on the second half 'till the last 5 minutes or so. it was pretty uninteresting to watch.

South Korea's government had promised to spare the players military service if they won the bronze medal and the final whistle sparked wild celebrations from the victors,

I think they were celebrating because they just took Olympic bronze not because they got a draft exemption.

I think this is a terribly written piece. It seems the writer has the taste of bile in his mouth with statements about Parks debut with Arsenal, the "bumpy pitch", and using such terms as "sucker punch".

vg866, so did you get up early to watch the game? I didn't think you were interested in what you called "irrelevant amateur football." Yet when Korea wins and Japan loses suddenly you feel the need to throw in your 2 cents about how Japan doesn't belong with Korea, Mexico, Brazil, etc, and how poorly you think Japan played? How about a simple "congrats Korea, well done Japan" comment. Is that so difficult?

As they're boarding the airplane, the Pink Nadeshikos should show off their shiny medals over the Blue Samurai as they walk down the aisle towards first-class, hahaha.

@ my2sense

may every boy band there bust a move.

You know everybody in SK is partying, boy bands included. Wish I was there.

Lack of determination on Japanese side..

Japan was bidding to emulate the Japanese team of 1968, who won bronze at the Mexico Games, but despite enjoying more possession, the Asian champions were twice unpicked by their opponents clinical counter-attack.

can anybody tell me what "clinical counter attack" means?

mokgohanAug. 11, 2012 - 10:20AM JST

@t basroil: I thought that was just me seeing that- the Korean Captain was carded twice, deservedly. Maybe Olympic rules are different but I thought he would be gone for sure. Would've been a different game if he wasn't out there running around like a wild man. I think Japan's game plan was "don't get killed". It calmed down after the 1st goal but still, I think the Korean team were behaving like schoolyard bullies. Mind you Japan kept up with them in the category of flopping, most noticably right before the first goal. Bronze medalists in boys soccer.

Main two are Koo in 32-34 and then some guy in 72. First should have been a red card on the spot, the second wasn't treated fairly , the Japanese player in the first half got a card and the game was stopped for the Korean player, but when it came time for Japan, they only got a penalty and told the Japanese player to get off the field to clean up.

Was the captain the same guy throughout? Two yellow are a red even in the Olympics.

To me it showed how "speed" had always been Japan's edge and how less intimidating and vulnerable Japan tends to become when they lose it. The key strength of this team in particular heavily depended on their ability to maintain speed throughout the game, Nagai in particular, and without it, they instantly returned to the average U23 team we have been seeing these past several years who lack the top level fire power in both offense and defense. Lesson to be learned here is the need to avoid depending on specific players and having to keep them in the game, especially in long running and tightly scheduled tournaments like these.

Korea definitely proved themselves to be the better team. good job!

I rest my case. They were terrible against Mexico and that loss might have taken wind out of their sail. Their only emotional damage was from triple P's (piss, poor, performance). Japan has a solid team, but they were out-coached in the finals. I'm happy for the Korean young men as they played their a**es off. Rough play? Soccer/futbol is a contact sport. I don't believe in that kind of incentive for Olympians (opt out of military service, if true) though they sure were motivated. I loved to see the women play. They got a bit flustered at the goal line against the U.S. otherwise, very well executed dribbling and passing.

I would have liked to have watched this game, but I'm lacking in sleep enough as it is. Good on South Korea, must have been an amazing feeling, and tough on Japan. It absolutely must suck to get 4th and JUST miss out on a medal, let alone to lose that reality to the bitterest of rivals. Better luck next time.

As for everyone sticking it to the guys on behalf of the girls -- while the women did amazingly and grabbed the silver in the sport, 4th is nothing to scoff at, and really you just can't compare the two. They should be treated equally (ie. in this case plane tickets), bottom line.

No medal? Give em economy tickets for the flight back.

It was a frustrating game to watch, just like the game against Mexico. I don't know why they just kept passing the ball around when they were behind by 2 goals with 15 minutes left or less.

You gotta do what the French team did against Japan in the women's semi-final in the last 10 minutes, attack attack attack and more attack !!! They had nothing to lose anyways,

Korea draw with Mexico 0:0 Mexico beat Japan 3:1 Korea now beat Japan 2:0( could have been 3:0 if Kim's shooting was'nt hit the cross bar ) Soccer is a more of a science than a luck. Now it is a win for Brazil over Mexico.

Love to watch matches with national pride at stake...

Readers, please keep the discussion focused on the game.

Elbuda MexicanoAug. 11, 2012 - 02:30PM JST

Yes , ROK out played the Samurai Blue, now I just pray Mexico can fend off those Samba loving boys from Rio!!

They out mexico'd Mexico too, over a dozen penalties in the first half, a red card that wasn't called on Koo, and some other card calls that weren't given. Hell, they busted open one of the Japanese player's face and made him bleed enough that he had to spend the rest of the game bandaged up (usually small cuts are sealed with a liquid bandage, only larger ones can't use it).

Yes, Japan got away with a few fouls of their own, so the issue here is with an incompetent ref that almost allowed a fistfight on the field.

The officiating was lax. But Korea played the entire tourney consistently better than Japan. It's disappointing, but they were the better side today. I wonder what their mates in the services think of this deal. They face a shooting enemy everyday.

The RSK behavior in the first half was deplorable. I was surprised not to see red shown. They were targeting Otsu. However, they got the message in the 2nd half and went easy on the hard fouls . . .easier, anyway. That said, they did appear to lack a sense of urgency after falling behind. I put that on the manager. There was no change in tactics, same with the Mexico match. Also, where's the great Japanese midfielders they've always had? Where was the service to Otsu? He had to find the ball himself too much, something that Nagai seems reluctant to do.

mokgohan - Why so negative? Be happy for both teams for making this far in the Olympics!! Both teams worked hard and have good players

Well, let's see... It might be because South Korea's Captain was running around the field recklessly intimidating and attempting to injure players on the Japanese team. The official thought so too- which is why he was carded, twice! Sorry if I'm not "happy" with that.

South Korea definitely deserved to win that one. Japan gave up as per usual. It tends to happen when they have too many expectations and too much pressure. They choked. South Korea took advantage of the lack of defending near the goal. Was not impressed with the little fight that broke out. Deserved a red card IMO. Absolutely foul behavior on South Korea's part. Our boys have much to learn. Hopefully they can better themselves after this experience.In particular learn to kick the ball instead of standing there with it and thinking about what play to go by. If there's an opportunity, take it. They had so many opportunities this morning. Fluffed up each one. Being #4 is nothing to be ashamed of though.

Look the winner is a no brainer. South Korea made a very good promise to its player because of the sense of regional rivalry. Japan on the other hand made no such offer to its players except for representing their country as in the sake of Judo (the players receive no monetary rewards whatsoever). So the Japanese prima donnas getiing nothing in return while the other team gets reward from heaven then you will see how low is their motivation and morale.

What is the point of giving your best if you only get a congratulatory handshake and be forgotten in a week.

Japan only made it that far due to easy seeding. They had no business being in the same group as South Korea, Mexico, Great Britain, Brazil etc. And it clearly showed. 3-1 to Mexico and 2-0 to South Korea.

Japan didn't "give up". They were completely outplayed which is why they looked so bad. If anything, it was the Korean side that slacked off after realizing the game was theirs.

I was rooting for both teams so I had mixed emotions watching the bronze medal game. It's great to see the South Koreans' jubilation on TV, so I'm happy that their team won. I'm happy for Lee Byung Hun and sad for Takenouchi Yutaka hehe.

How many of these commenters actually watched the game? The yellow card by the Korean player at 32-34 min (Koo) should have been a red card, not to mention that usually after you get 15 fouls in 30 min of gameplay they normally start giving out yellows more often.

The ref didn't seem to have control of the situation and was reluctant to hand out cards when they were needed (for both sides)

@t basroil: I thought that was just me seeing that- the Korean Captain was carded twice, deservedly. Maybe Olympic rules are different but I thought he would be gone for sure. Would've been a different game if he wasn't out there running around like a wild man. I think Japan's game plan was "don't get killed". It calmed down after the 1st goal but still, I think the Korean team were behaving like schoolyard bullies. Mind you Japan kept up with them in the category of flopping, most noticably right before the first goal. Bronze medalists in boys soccer.

Obviously they were afraid of getting hurt/killed but pretty sure that South Korea dominated that one this time. And to be 100% honest with korean, I hate to say congratulations to them but they deserved to have bronze. But it's not going to be easy like this time as A daihyo is ready for it!!! SHINJI HONDA NAGATOMO!!!

I watched it here in Europe and this game made me yawning. Both sides didn't show good skills. While the japanese ball control was aweful, the koreans acted like girls after were involved in a foul. There are teams in this tournament which deserves this bronze medal more than the two teams played for it. However, the japanese midfield played a good game, while the korean defense showed good moments, too. In the end, I think Soccer (and I like Soccer) should not be a Olympic discipline.

I'm not sure why people are making a big deal out of this. This was the U23 team. These were not the best Korean or Japanese players in the world. In fact, you could easily tell by the way they played. Many players don't hit their prime till 25+.

This is what makes Olympic Football rules a joke really. You are playing against the best players within your age, in the world. Whereas the World Cup, and many of the other sports in the Olympics, you are competing against the best in the world. Ever.

Just look at basketball, where the US is dominating, along with Spain because those are the teams that produce the best athletes.

What this win says is that Japan's Jr.team is good, but not good enough to beat the SK squad. This was a team without Keisuke Honda, Shinji Okazaki, Shinji Kagawa, or even Ryo Miyaichi.

tideofiron

Funny to see the Japanese fans come out and say, "Why should they try their best because it didn't really matter?" Actually, it did matter. National pride was at stake, as it always is at the Olympics. You think those Japanese players didn't feel pressure and motivation to win? Of course they did. Look at their reactions after the game. You can't be a fan of your team and cheer endlessly for them when they win and then just turn around and say, "It didn't matter anyway" when they lose in some vain and transparent attempt to save face. That game will reverberate for a while and figure into national policy, whether you like it or not. Do you think it was a coincidence the South Korea PM visited those islands the day before the match?

If Japan won then it would matter but since they didn't it no longer matters. Typical Japanese logic. Reading their excuses and reactions is hilarious.

"Korea only won due to military draft exemption"

"It didn't matter"

"Japan "gave up" and wasn't really trying"

"South Koreans were fouling and everyone deserved a red card"

"Bronze medal means nothing"

Talk about sore losers. Best of all is the fact that the president visited Dokdo on the same day which is another punch in the gut.

Yes , ROK out played the Samurai Blue, now I just pray Mexico can fend off those Samba loving boys from Rio!!

vg866, so did you get up early to watch the game? I didn't think you were interested in what you called "irrelevant amateur football." Yet when Korea wins and Japan loses suddenly you feel the need to throw in your 2 cents about how Japan doesn't belong with Korea, Mexico, Brazil, etc, and how poorly you think Japan played? How about a simple "congrats Korea, well done Japan" comment. Is that so difficult?

I saw it due to the rivalry between the two countries rather than my interest in U-23 football or the bronze medal. If this was a friendly match with nothing at stake, I would have still enjoyed it. Its so satisfying to see how things turned out.

Reading Japanese reactions is so humorous.