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Kathmandu,Saturday January 22, 2000 Magh 08th, 2056.
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Gucc’s
hat-trick humbles Bhutan 6-0
-By a Post Reporter
KATHMANDU,
Jan 21 - The third ANFA-Coca Cola International Invitational football
tournament began at Dashrath stadium Friday with Soong Sil University
of South Korea humbling the Bhutanese national side by a tennis-like
6-0 scoreline in the opening Group A match.
Bhutan,
who are reported to participate the Asian Cup qualifiers following the
tournament were no match to the talented South Korean side. The final
scoreline only suggests the wide gulf between the Far East and South
Asia.
The
newly appointed German coach, Klaus Ebbinghausen of Bhutan, who was
watching the side play in any major tournament for the first time
since he was put in charge, witnessed the Koreans mesmerize his boys
right from the kick off.
The
quick Koreans were virtually unstoppable as they kept incessant
pressure on Bhutan with waves of attacks.
They
narrowly missed to find the net in the third minute as striker Ko Ki
Gucc hit the near post and Bhutanese keeper Jigme Singhe easily
grabbed Do Hwa Sung’s shot on rebound.
But
barely after seven minutes, Sung made amends to the early miss with a
superb volley off a measured left cross from Lee Young Wook to put his
side into a 1-0 lead.
Thereafter,
Bhutan, seeing no other option pulled everyone back to tackle the
brisk Korean attacks. That seemed to have little effect on the Koreans
as they easily built rooms for themselves, playing some long diagonal
passes.
And
only two minutes after the opening goal, Gucc made it 2-0. The lanky
striker easily outwitted the defence and guided his powerful header
into the roof of the net on a long well guided drop ball from Park
Yoon Hwa.
Hwa
was brilliant on the right flank, setting up string of passes on the
restless running as well as testing the rival keeper from long
rangers.
The
Korean goal spree continued even as the drum beats of the small Korean
crowd gained their volume. And in the 24th minute, Park Jong Woo
scored the third goal with a powerful shot after a scramble.
Bhutanese
were little lucky to be penalized with a spot-kick in the 30th minute,
for what it seemed as a fair tackle by the defenders on Gucc. And
skipper Kima Jang Hyun, the playmaker of the side converted it into
fourth goal.
The
highlight of the match, however, was Gucc who showing his exemplary
skills completed a hat-trick. He found his second in the 33rd minute
through a header and Park Yoon Hwa was once again the provider from
the right.
But
it was his hat-trick goal in the 80th minute that caught everyone’s
imagination. Demonstrating an exquisite ball controlling, he took a
long pass from the middle on to his chest and unleashed a picture
perfect volley which went like a cannonball pass the keeper for
Koreans’ authoritative 6-0 win.
Bhutanese
were lucky though to go down 0-5 at the half-time, as the crosspiece
came to their rescue on quite a number of times during the ninety
minutes. They, unlike a forgetful first half with a lone corner in the
26th minute, began to surge ahead gradually with some nice moves in
the middle as the Koreans took a little bit of backseat.
They
had a clear chance to reduce the margin nine minutes into the second
session. But Dinesh Chhetri disappointed everyone at the Bhutanese
camp by hitting the ball straight to the keeper.
Today’s
match
Thai Army, Thailand vs Rahamad Gunj, Bangladesh (2:30pm)
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