The Korea Republic equalised Greece’s captain Theo Zagorakis opening goal of the first international friendly game for the European Champions in 2006.

Dick Advocaat made several changes to his team, after loosing against the United Arab Emirates a few days ago. The Korea Republic played an impressive second half, posing great difficulties for the Greeks.

The current roster of the Korea Republic is very different than wonder team in the 2002 World Cup which, under coach Guus Hiddink, managed to finish fourth. Many players have resigned since then and the team has only new talents.

Greece's German Coach Otto Rehaghel, who recently expressed his sadness for the European Champions' absence from the World Cup Finals in an interview with FIFA, started the team with many new faces in the squad, mainly the Panathinaikos FC young players, Darlas, Gkekas,Leontiou and Tziolis.

Korea Republic Coach Dick Advocaat started the game with a 4-3-3 system against Greece Coach Otto Rehaghel's 4-3-2-1 system. Although the Korea Republic created chances near Greece's goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis, those chances were created by ball deflections in the midfield.

Dick Advocaat's team did not pose a real threat in the first half, loosing most midfield battles to the Greek midfielders. The Greek team was much more organised in all fields of the pitch, not letting their opponents easy passage to Antonis Nikopolidis area.

Greece's captain, Theo Zagorakis, opened the score 10 minutes into the game with a powerfull shot near the penalty spot. Greece's Lagos sent a wide cross near the corner spot, South Korea's Choi headed the ball away inside the keeper's box, only to find Greece's captain, who sent a powerful shot, leaving little options for the Korean goalkeeper.

In a poor defence effort for the European Champions, a free kick won by the Korea Republic near the right edge of the penalty area of Nikopolidis, Park jumped higher and won the header, leaving Nikopolidis starring at the ball as it landed into the nets.

The goal went in after a silly foul by Loukas Vyntra on Lee Chun-soo, who took the free kick. The Greek defenders seemed "hypnotised", as the four defenders did not attempt a header to avert the danger.

Three Korean players jumped, but only Park Chu-young won the header suprising Nikopolidis who was left starring at the ball going into his nets.

The Korea Republic national football team improved its performance after the first 35 minutes of the match, winning some battles in the midfield and getting the ball to the forwards.

During the fist 20 minutes of the second half, the Korea Republic was stronger in the midfield, but found it hard to find its way through the Greek defence. Three powerful shots posed little danger to Nikopolidis, as they were shot near the midfield.

The two managers made several changes to their teams, trying different tactics in the midfield. Greece played a very tight defensive system which left the Korea Republic little chances to pose a real threat. The Korean players started to press forward with their defenders and midfielders moving more forward.

The pressure made Rehaghel to tighten his defence, however the Greeks were very dangerous in the counter-attack getting the ball to Salpiggidis and Lymperopoulos, who had two classic opportunities for scoring.

Greece failed to satisfy Otto Rehaghel, who saw his team's performance in the midfield loosing grip. Also the defenders seemed very unorganised during some dangerous attempts by the Koreans. Dick Advocaat made changes to his team and put more pressure to the Greek defence, getting Choi Tae-uk to help with the forwards.

83 minutes into the game, Choi Tae-uk narrowly missed getting the Korea Republic ahead in the score, after a smart pass by Park found him free near the penalty spot and he sent a powerful shot, only to get deflected by the Greek goalkeeper, who overstretched to avert the danger.

During the last few minutes, the ball was played constantly in Greece's half, with the Koreans winning most midfield battles and having better ball circulation. The Koreans did not manage to score, even though they created many classic chances for scoring with Lee, Choi and Park.

Park and Salpiggidis were the best players of the match.