NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia, June 18 -- A penalty awarded after referee applying to VAR helped Sweden defeat South Korea 1-0 in their opening World Cup Group F match at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Monday.
This had been a crucial and must-win match for both teams, as South Korea vowed to satisfy domestic fans who were disappointed by team's winless performance in 2017, and Sweden would want their first opening game win of the World Cup since 1958.
South Korea dominated the game for the first 10 minutes before Sweden, who have been absent for World Cup stage for 12 years, took control.
The Swedes created an excellent opportunity in the first fruitless 45 minutes, when Marcus Berg's shot was denied by South Korean goal keeper Jo Hyeonwoo's marvelous movement plus a bit luck.
After switching sides, South Korea's spearhead Son Heungmin, who initially played as left-winger, produced an 80-meter drive all the way into the opponents' penalty area, but his cross was stopped by Swedish captain Andreas Granqvist.
Viktor Claesson was tripped by Kim Minwoo in the box, but the game went on with no whistle. Under the pressure of the Scandinavian spectators and constant protests of the Swedish players, the referee decided to apply to the reviewing system, and awarded a penalty kick to the Swedes. Granqvist took the spot kick and gave his team the winner in the 65th minute.
"Mexico beating Germany yesterday made the group even tougher for us, it was fantastic to be winner of this important match", said Granqvist at the post-game press conference.
"We could have started the first ten minutes better, we created a couple of opportunities and got a penalty awarded, then we were just fighting till the end," the captain added, pointing out his team is now focusing on the game with Germany.
Despite the fact that his team got a match-deciding penalty eventually, Swedish coach Janne Andersson still questioned the referee's initial judgement. "I think the case was crystal clear, the VAR was not even needed. With the position the referee had, he could have given the penalty straight away," Andersson said.
"We really wanted to win, that's the attitude our players had coming into this game. If we won today's game, it would be better and easier for us to fight against Mexico and Germany," said South Korean coach Shin Taeyong.
Shin admitted that the penalty was a good call, just wishing his player could have done better.
Speaking of the next game, Shin said, "Yesterday Mexico played very well, we know they are going to be a formidable opponent, and we will prepare well."
Sweden will play reigning champions Germany on June 23, and South Korea are to battle with Mexico the same day.
胡敏:何谓“英语主题口语学习法”?
雅思口语天天练:“无所谓”的各种说法
雅思口语part 1自我介绍模版
雅思口语天天练:如何表达意见
详解雅思口语part 2中的建筑话题
雅思口试必考题素材:Happiness
雅思口语七种武器之一: 考场应对自如
雅思口语话题卡解析:A Good Law
雅思口语范文:advertisement
解读雅思口语考试的四个评分标准
雅思口语考官常说的套话
雅思口语Part 1中最易被忽视的四个细节
雅思口语part 1模板:hometown
如何用英语搭讪
雅思口语二、三部分常见问题大全
几句话教您在家中准备雅思口语的方法
雅思口语能力与听力水平的相互影响
烤鸭必备:口语话题出题类型讲解 + 口语话题大
雅思口语天天练:坏脾气的地道表达
雅思口语全面攻略 多写口袋作文
详解雅思口语评分标准中的语音问题
雅思口语素材:好句推荐-朋友
雅思口语考试拿高分需要有新意
名师分享:11月14日雅思口语考题选编及推荐思路
雅思口语:句型威力无边
为你加分添彩的雅思口语八大绝招
99%的雅思口语考生会犯的8个错误
雅思口语Part 1模版:present situation(employee)
雅思口语素材:好句推荐-所谓人才
雅思口语素材:名人名言-歌德
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |