Algeria 4 (Islam, Simani, Rafik Halliche, Abdelmoumene Djabouz, Yacine Brahimi) : South Korea 2 (Son Hyung Min, Kim Young Gwon )

Brilliant Algerians outgunned put paid to South Korean Brazil mission in a high scoring do or die match for the both with as many as six goals being scored. Algerian domination in the first half was absolute while second half witnessed attacks and counter attacks. Koreans tried to come back strongly in the second half and their efforts led to two smart goals reducing the margin to a respectable 4-2.

If luck was with them Korea could make it 3-3 within 10 minutes of the second half. Either Algerian keeper saved or Korean attempts narrowly missed the target. They scored once. But it absorbed another goal from Algeria immediately after scoring their first goal .Mid-way through the first half Korea could reduce the margin further giving the score line a far better look 4-2 than what it was 3-0 at the half time. This win puts Algeria in a better stead with only Russians to play in the third match in an effort to join Belgium to the second round from the group. For South Korea mission Brazil World Cup is almost over as they will face stronger Belgium in the last match. Only a win can open the door for them. But that will require Russia beating Algeria by some margin.

For the North African team Algeria it was a do or die match having lost the keenly contested first match to Belgium 1-2. How well they rose to the occasion. .Algeria became the first African side to score four goals in a world cup match. On the other hand South Korea after a 1-1 drawn game with Russia was also equally keen to win it. The win of Belgium in the earlier of the day match over Russia created opportunity for both the team to exploit the opportunity. But in the Algeria looked more aggressive of the two and more inventive in the attack right from the start.

The match was played at much faster pace than the match earlier on the day. Koreans were a bit puzzled at rapid moving Algerains moving from all direction right, left and the centre. Waves of attacks made the inexperienced Korean defence nervy. They could hardly withstand the barrage of Alegrian attack and ultimately gave in.Islam Simani scored the first goal from a smart move down the middle at 26th minute 1-0 .He out run his challenger Yun Suk-young. Rafik Halliche made it 2-0 within two minutes.

Another lightening attack through the center earned a corner .Halliche with a beautiful header found the back of Korean net. Djabouz made it 3-0 with Simani unlocking the Korean defence in the 38 th minute from a fast movement. Match which promised to be a tighter one turned into Alegrian domination for poor Korean defence. Brahimi, Djabouz and Simani had outstanding first half. Algerian domination was so absolute that the presence of Koreans was hardly felt in the first half. In the face of continuous Algerian onslaughts Koreans were devoid of idea to regroup and launch counter attacks. A near nightmare for Koreans. They were completely blown away. Algerains were fantastic in first half of the match with Koreans looking completely down and out. The Algerians were very quick and direct and attacked in the wide areas. North African fans were sent into ecstasy at the expense of poor looking Koreans. Two centre backs Suk –Young and Kwak Tae –hwi were forced to leave gaping hole beween them through which Brahimi, Siimani, Djabouz maneuvered.

Quite unexpectedly a different South Korea appeared on the scene in the second half .Off course they had no other option. They started with all-out attacks and reduced from their very first potential attack of the match through Son Hyung Min (3-1) very early into second half .The ball went through the legs of Algerain keeper. It was followed with series of potential attacks. If all these could be exploited it could three all in no time .But Algerian defence could withstand the shock .It took some time for Algerians to absorb the South Korean counter punch. They regrouped and scored the fourth Goal through Yachine Brahimi (4-1). South Korea could further reduce the margin through Kim Young Gwon making it 4-2. Despite a vastly improved performance in the second half South Korea went down fighting in the match. Algeria earned first win in a World Cup after 1982.

BDST: 0735 HRS, JUNE 23, 2014