Uruguay beats South Korea 2-1 in round of 16

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AP) -- The game on the line, Luis Suarez sidestepped two defenders in the driving rain and struck a right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area.

"The truth is, I didn't realize the ball was going to go in," he said.

It did. And now Uruguay is headed to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 40 years after beating South Korea 2-1 on Saturday.

Suarez, who had Uruguay's only goal in its 1-0 group stage win over Mexico, scored twice against the Koreans -- early in the first half and again in the 80th with the score tied 1-1.

"In these moments, the only thing I want to do is enjoy," said Suarez, who jumped over a row of photographers to celebrate his second goal with his teammates.

Lee Chung-yong had tied the second-round game in the 68th on a header after goalkeeper Fernando Muslera left his line attempting to punch away a looping ball. It was the first goal given up by Uruguay in the tournament.

"The key to Uruguay's improvement (at the end of the game) was South Korea's goal. We stopped thinking about not conceding a goal," Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said.

"Luckily, Suarez scored a spectacular goal that gave us victory."

Uruguay took the lead in the eighth when goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong failed to intercept Diego Forlan's low cross from the left flank. It bounced across the goal mouth and Suarez put the ball in the net with a one-timer from a tight angle.

"I'm really happy because, being young, I always dream of these types of moments," the 23-year-old forward said. "These moments we're experiencing are once in a lifetime."

The goal forced the Koreans to push forward, but Uruguay's compact defense forced them to rely on outside shots and they struggled to hit the target. Meanwhile, the South Americans sat back and waited for opportunities to counterattack.

Lee finally scored when Uruguay failed to clear a free kick hooked into the penalty area. He rose above Diego Lugano to head the ball past Muslera.

Uruguay will play a quarterfinal against the United States or Ghana, who play later Saturday

The Koreans fell to their knees at the final whistle as the Uruguayans celebrated with a group hug in the downpour.

A two-time world champion, Uruguay had not gotten this far in a World Cup since it reached the semifinals in 1970. Its victory also continued South America's amazing run in South Africa. All five of its teams made the final 16 and the continent's record in the tournament now stands at 11 wins, one loss, three draws. And loss didn't cost Chile, which advanced.

South Korea reached the semifinals in the 2002 World Cup it co-hosted with Japan. But this year was the first time it advanced from the group stage on foreign soil, after beating Greece 2-0, losing to Argentina 4-1 and drawing Nigeria 2-2.

"It would have been a lot better if we had played a bit smarter with a bit more confidence," South Korea coach Huh Jung-moo said. "We did learn this time that we have some areas to improve on."

The Koreans came close late in the game when Muslera couldn't hold substitute Lee Dong-gook's shot, but Lugano controlled the ball as it rolled toward the goal line.

Korea win but Netherlands join semis on goals tally

New Delhi: A plucky South Korea fought back superbly from a goal deficit to stun three-time champions the Netherlands 2-1 in an action-packed match but that was not enough to qualify for the semi-finals of the hockey World Cup on Tuesday. In a fast-paced edge-of-the-seat Pool A thriller between fourth and fifth ranked sides in the world, the South Koreans struck back after the Dutch had taken a lightning fast lead in the first minute through Ronald Brouwer. The lower-ranked South Koreans took control of the game from towards the end of the first half to inflict the Dutch their first defeat in the World Cup in front of a sparse crowd under floodlights at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium. Points Table The South Koreans, who had beaten the Dutch in their last three international matches, twice in 2009 and once in 2008 - all in the Champions Trophy - fought back with goals from Hyun Woo Nam Hyun Woo Nam (31st) and Jong Ho Seo (45th). Despite the loss, the Netherlands pipped South Korea to the post for a semi-final berth on goal difference though they have the same points - 10 each from three wins, one draw and one loss. The Dutch, who finished second in Pool A behind Germany (11 points) had a goal difference of 10 (15 scored and five conceded) while the South Koreans, who finished third in the pool, had eight (16 scored and eight conceded). The Netherlands will now play Pool B toppers Australia while Germany will take on Pool B runners-up England in the semi-finals on March 11. In the classification matches, South Korea will take on Pool B third-place finishers Spain on March 12 for fifth-sixth place. The Dutch had also their chances to equalise but all of them went abbegging. Five minutes from the final hooter, Dutch defender Geert Jan Derikx missed a golden opportunity to equalise as he failed to connect a cross from the right with an open goal in front. Next minute, the field umpire awarded a penalty stroke to the Dutch but after an appeal by the South Koreans, the video umpire ruled against the decision. Adding drama to the climactic end of the match, the umpire awarded a penalty corner in favour of the Netherlands but after referral, the video umpire ruled it otherwise and Dutch chance for an attempt to equalise did not materialise. The Dutch went into the lead within 30 seconds into the match with Ronald Brouwer scoring after a fine exchange of passes between his captain Teun de Nooijer and Jeroen Hertzberger inside the South Korean 25 yard. After the lightning fast goal, the ball went up and down the field with both teams looking for a fast counter-attack, but could not get an opening. The nimble-footed South Koreans equalised in the 31st minute through Hyun Woo Nam whose powerful drag flick beat the veteran Dutch goalkeeper Guus Vogel all ends up. More on Hockey World Cup The Netherlands pushed more men upfront which worked well for the nippy South Koreans who made quick counter attacks. First minute after the breather, Hye Sungh Hyun's push in front of the Dutch goal was brilliantly saved by goal-keeper Guus Vogels. In the 42nd minute, Eun Seong Hong got a hit unchallenged inside the Dutch striking circle but he mistimed it and the feeble shot did not trouble the goalkeeper. Three minutes later, the Koreans broke free from a counter attack and captain Jong Ho Seo scored after Sung Hoon Yoon beat the goalkkeeper with his pass inside the Dutch striking circle. In the 58th minute, Hyok Sik You's fierce reverse stick shot after a quick interchange of passes hit the Dutch goalkeeper on the chest and went out.