ARGENTINA DAZZLE AS HIGUAIN SCORES A HAT-TRICK IN 4-1 WIN OVER SOUTH KOREA
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 18 Jun 2010
Argentina played some dazzling football that enabled Gonzalo Higuain to score a memorable hat-trick as the South American side coached by the great Diego Maradona scored a rousing 4-1 victory over a game but eventually outclassed South Korean team in the match telecast "live" by SkyCable's "Balls" Channel 34.
?Footballer of the Year? Lionel Messi mesmerized the South Korean defenders showing his unquestioned class and in fact played a role in all four goals that assured Argentina of a place in the round of 16 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The South Koreans who came through with an impressive win over Greece in their opening Group B match were ripped apart by Messi and the Argentine attacking force and will now have to scramble to advance to the next stage of the biggest sporting event in the world.
Argentina as expected played the kind of scintillating attacking football they are known for and became the first team to take all six points from their first two matches.
The FIFA match report said Argentina were quickly into their smooth-passing style, switching the ball quickly to their creative talents, with Carlos Tevez eager to nag away at the Korean defenders. Angel Di Maria also demonstrated the potential to make it a difficult afternoon for Korea Republic right-back Oh Beom-Seok, who had come in for Cha Du-Ri. It was following a foul on the Benfica winger that Argentina went ahead. Messi's free-kick was perfectly judged, looping towards the penalty spot where it came off the shin of Park Chu-Young, leaving Jung Sung-Ryong powerless to keep it out.
A stunning right-footer from distance from Ki Sung Yueng indicated that the Asian club were not going to take that blow lying down but chances were virtually non-existent as the South Americans continued in comfortable control, probing away and posing all manner of problems. Tevez zipped a free-kick just too high and on 32 minutes Argentina had their second goal. A free-kick was played short this time with Messi inviting Maxi Rodriguez to deliver the ball into the danger zone where it was flicked back towards the far post where Higuain was waiting to steer in a header.
It was so comfortable for Maradona's team with Sung-Ryong denying Di Maria, and Messi only fractionally wide after a wonderful run that bemused a clutch of defenders. But then complacency and a lapse in concentration allowed the South Koreans back into the match. That certainly seemed to be the case with Martin Demichelis who was guilty of dwelling on the ball as the first half entered into added-on time and Lee Chung Young took ruthless advantage.
After the break Sung-Ryong did well to keep out Higuain's effort but Diego Maradona's team, now without Walter Samuel, who was forced off with an injury, were vulnerable to Korea Republic's pace on the counter. That was never better demonstrated than in the 58th minute, when Park Ji-Sung slid a perfect pass into the stride of Yeom Ki-Hun, who could only hit the side-netting.
The last words went to Argentina however and Higuain. After a one-two, Messi tore into the area and saw his first shot repelled by the goalkeeper. His follow-up stuck the inside of the post and there was Higuain to apply the final touch.
Messi and Higuain weren't finished yet. With ten minutes remaining Messi's beautifully executed scooped pass put Sergio Aguero clear down the left and his cushioned cross was met with a clinical header from Higuain to wrap up his hat-trick.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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