Daejeon, 18 June 2002. South Korea, co-hosting the World Cup with Japan, were playing their first ever knockout match. The opponents were Italy.
Vieri headed Italy in front, and for most of the evening it looked as if that would do. Late on, Seol Ki-hyeon equalised for Korea. The match went to extra time, where the golden goal rule was in force: the next goal would end it.
Then came the controversy. Italy's captain Francesco Totti went down and was shown a second yellow card for diving. Replays were inconclusive. Italy were down to ten men, and Italian anger at the decision has not really faded.
In the 117th minute Ahn Jung-hwan rose above the Italian defence and headed the golden goal. Korea 2-1 Italy, and one of the great powers of world football was out.
Why is Korea against Italy still argued about?
Because of what Italy felt was taken from them. Totti's red card and a disallowed golden goal from Tomasi fed the Italian sense of grievance, and Ecuadorian referee Byron Moreno was heavily criticised in the Italian media for his performance.
For Korea none of that mattered much. A host nation, with a delirious crowd behind them, had knocked out a footballing superpower in extra time. They went on to reach the semi-finals, the only Asian nation ever to do so.
It stands as one of the most dramatic upsets the World Cup has seen, and as Asia's finest hour at the tournament.
Tomorrow: number 14.



