South Korea’s World Cup team drew 2-2 with Nigeria on Tuesday in their final group-stage match but advanced to the round of 16 for the first time in overseas tournaments.

With one win, one draw and one loss, South Korea reached the knockout stage after finishing second to Argentina in Group B. Greece finished third after losing 2-0 to Argentina in a match held at the same time. Nigeria finished last in the group.

The Nigerians scored the first point of the match in the 12th minute, as midfielder Kalu Uche connected a low cross from Chidi Odiah in the game held at Durban Moses Mabhida Stadium in the South African port city of Durban.

South Korea later pulled through as Lee Jung-soo scored his second goal in the South African finals, leveling the game by landing a header in the 38th minute in the physically intense match. Nigeria received three yellow cards in the first half.

AS Monaco forward Park Chu-young added a point in the 49th minute after netting a free kick.

Yakubu missed an opportunity to level the match in the 66th minute when he had an open goal in front of him but the shot was tapped wide. He redeemed himself three minutes later by successfully landing a penalty kick, given after Kim Nam-il fouled Ogbuke Obasi in the penalty zone.

Nigeria had plenty of chances to add points in the second half but the South Koreans managed to hold down the Africans’ offense.

As the final whistle blew, Korean substitute players ran into the field and hugged their teammates, and some hundreds of fans of the Asian Tigers cheered, waving South Korean flags at the stadium, filled predominantly by supporters of Nigeria.

South Korea in World Cup

Since their first trip to the World Cup in 1954 in Switzerland, South Korea has made it to the second round only once, in 2002, when the team played at home.

The team had never made it to the second round of the World Cup finals in away games before, although they have played in six consecutive World Cup tournaments, from 1986 in Mexico to 2006 in Germany.

The Asians are set to face off with Uruguay, which finished first in Group A, on June 26 in Port Elizabeth to vie for a top 8 spot.

“We’re extremely happy that we reached the goal of advancing to the round of top 16 for the first time overseas,” Huh told a post-match press conference. “Our players have played their part without losing their nerve on the World Cup stage. I’m extremely giddy.”

Huh commended his players for moving the game forward unfaltered despite allowing the Nigerians to score first, but acknowledged that the team did face difficulty in the second half after allowing penalty kick in the second half.

The Korean coach said the upcoming match with Uruguay would be prepared with his players reducing “small mistakes,” stressing that an instant carelessness on the part of players can bring down their chances of beating South American team.

Park Ji-sung, South Korean captain, thanked his team and underscored the tough road for his country advancing beyond the group stage.

“All the players realized how difficult it is to reach the round of top 16. I’m proud of the players having overcome (the obstacles),” said the Manchester United midfielder, who was named “Man of the Match.”

Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback, appearing clearly discouraged at the draw, told reporters that he was “disappointed about all the chances” his players failed to connect to goals but also lauded them for their hard work.

Related posts:

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2. FIFA World Cup : Greece beats Nigeria 2-1, hangs on hope for top 16
3. World Cup News : South Korean Coach Huh looks to fix team’s defensive gap on right side
4. United States wants to face South Korea in World Cup quarterfinals — official
5. FIFA World Cup : South Korea trounced by Argentina in group B match