Better-Looking Togo Can't Quite Hold Lead Against South Korea

After the US team got spanked yesterday by the Czech Republic in the most embarrassing fashion (US Population: 298.2 million, Czech Republic population: 10.2 million, World Cup game score yesterday: Czech Republic 3-0 USA), I at least had the hope that my Togo team would hold their own against South Korea, especially since South Korea has been so disappointing in developing a good-looking squad. And I was not disappointed with Togo, even though the final score was not in my favor.

Togo is in a very strong group with 1998 World Cup champions France, Switzerland, and today's opponent, surprise 2002 World Cup semifinalists South Korea. So Togo, in their first-ever World Cup tournament game, was not expected to be much of a factor. But then, in the 31st minute of the game this morning (8 a.m. Chicago time), Togo forward Mohamed Kader scored a beautiful goal giving Togo an unexpected lead over South Korea, a lead they held through the remainder of the first half of play.

Unfortunately, in the second half, Togo's captain Jean-Paul Abalo received a second yellow card (and thus ejection from the game) after a tackle in the box, leaving the Togolese one man down. But worse, the South Koreans got a free kick which they successfully placed in the goal, tying the game. Then, with about 18 minutes left in the game, South Korea's Ahn Jung-Hwan scored, earning a 2-1 edge that held to the end.

Now, with the subsequent draw in the game that ended scoreless between France and Switzerland a short time ago, Togo actually still has a shot at advancing out of the group round if they could pull of a surprise upset against either of those teams. Unlikely, perhaps; possible, absolutely. Either way, they are a fun team to watch, and games like today's (along with the pictures at the end of the games when the players remove their shirts to trade jerseys with their opponents) are why I, who am as uninterested in most sports as anyone you will meet, love watching World Cup soccer.