South Korea, Spain's next opponents, disappoints against Belarus (0-1)

First major wake-up call for South Korea at this stage prior to 2010 World Cup. After winning with authority to Ecuador and Japan, scoring four goals without conceding none in the two friendlies, the Asian team has played against a selection of second or third order in Europe, including Belarus.

In this friendly, played at the neutral ground of Austria, the most worrying for Korea was their very poor performance in attack. Do no harm to a rival who finished fourth in their qualifying group of the playoffs does not speak too well of the team of Huh Jung-Moo. Even more, accounting for almost all its stars, including the Red Devil Park Ji-sung.

But Korea was reversed itself in Austria. Belarusians, which, moreover, have a new coach, German Bernd Strange - without complex and played good defense only allowed half and shot from long distance by Asians.

To make matters worse, after a flojísimo first half that ended white marker, Belarus went ahead shortly after the beginning of the second period. In the first clear chance of goal of the game, Sergey Kisliak went through the kitchen of the Korean defense and beat goalkeeper with a firm shot Lee Woon-Jae (0-1).

The Europeans could have extended the advantage even when Vitali Rodionov, star of BATE Borisov, was planted in the area and almost scored the second. The goal avoided in extremis Woon-Jae.

This defeat by the minimum implies an end to a recent streak of Koreans - four straight wins, including one against Ivory Coast - and a serious wake-up call for Taeguk Warriors, who will face Spain in Innsbruck , next Thursday, in the penultimate friendly European team is scheduled for Vicente Del Bosque.