South Korean football fans expressed disappointment at their World Cup squad’s 2-1 defeat to Uruguay Saturday in a historic second round match in South Africa, but offered words of encouragement to the “Taekuk Warriors.”

Nearly a million Korean football fans, braving late-night drizzling rain, took to the streets Friday to cheer on the Korean athletes in the match, only to have their dreams shattered.

The fans were visibly disappointed at their team’s loss but eventually erupted into applause for the Korean footballers’ first-ever advance into the World Cup knockout stage on foreign soil.

Despite heavy rain, the crowds packed outdoor stadiums, public squares and parks where the match was broadcast live on news billboards or giant television screens. Optimism prevailed when Korea caught up with Lee Chung-yong’s goal after half time, but their hearts sank at the second goal by Uruguay.

“They scored first, but it’s only to make the game more thrilling,” said Park Bong-yeo, 57, who watched the game with her elementary school friends on the Gwanghwamun street in downtown Seoul. The friends clapped and shouted “Dae-han-min-guk!,” the country’s official name in Korean, whenever their team snatched the ball from Uruguay.

Police sealed off traffic from the Gwanghwamun area to the city hall as tens of thousands of people sat shoulder-to-shoulder on the pavement of to cheer on their team.

The Korean team had many shooting chances throughout the match, and the fans responded with anxious screams and applause.

“We lost, but I’m proud of our team. I really wish they will make it to the quarterfinals in the next World Cup,” said Lee Chang-bok, 23, who watched the game in front of the City Hall.

Lee Eun-hyeok, 31, selling sausages and toast at his street kiosk, said the rain hurt his business.

“But it’s good that I’m working and at the same time watching the game,” he said.

Police estimated that 920,000 people took to the streets in Seoul and other major cities to watch the game. Among the crowds were groups of foreign residents and tourists sporting Red Devil shirts.

Kyle Hubbard, a Canadian teaching English in South Korea, joined the crowds in downtown Seoul.

“Even though it rains, who cares?” he said with a smile.

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