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Australia have suffered their first away defeat in over a year with a 3-1 loss to South Korea at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Saturday night.
Korea went into the match amidst an unbeaten run of 24 matches including a successful South Africa 2010 qualifying campaign that saw them claim an Asian record seventh consecutive World Cup appearance.
Australia were missing several key players including the influential trio of Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell, while the hosts fielded a vastly experienced line-up.
Australia started sluggishly and were immediately punished five minutes into the match with Park Chu Young scoring a well-taken goal as the Socceroo goal was breached for just the third time in the last 12 matches.
Australia turned the ball over in midfield with Lee Chung Yong feeding Park Chu Young who scored comfortably past an exposed Mark Schwarzer, wearing the captain’s armband in place of regular skipper Neill.
In contrast to the Australians, the home team opened with verve and it was no surprise when the lead was doubled on 20 minutes.
Lee Jung Soo flicked home from close range at the near post after a static Australian defence allowed Kim Jung-Woo a free header into the danger area from a free kick.
With the Socceroos surviving several scares and under significant pressure, the direction of the match changed as Patrick Kisnorbo scored his first goal for Australia.
Kisnorbo headed home from close range after taking advantage of some hesitant goalkeeping from Lee Woon Jae who had failed to claim a Mark Bresciano free kick from a wide position.
Australia used Mark Milligan’s long throw to upset the Korean defence on a number of occasions with Shane Steffanutto getting on the end of one such moment mid-way through the second half, but the North Queensland Fury fullback’s spectacular volley was tipped over the crossbar by Lee Woon Jae.
The Socceroos second half showing was significantly better and always looked likely to secure an equaliser.
But Korea claimed the clinching goal three minutes from time with Ki-Hyeon Seol scoring with a header following a stunning run and cross from Manchester United midfielder Park Ji Sung.
The goal was awarded on advice of the assistant referee who ruled the ball had crossed the line despite Schwarzer’s intervention.
In the dying moments Josh Kennedy seemed set to pull a goal back but his header hit the post after another dead-ball delivery from Bresciano.
Australia conceded three goals for the first time under Pim Verbeek, with the last occasion against Iraq at the Asian Cup in July 2007.
“I think it was a very interesting game,” said Socceroos coach Verbeek.
“I learned a lot but I think my players (did) also, so that’s why we play games like this.
“Korea deserved to win this game. If they are better than us, like they were today, especially in the first half, then they deserve to win this game.
“For me the most important thing is the performance and that I learn from my team what they can do and what they can’t.
“We had a totally different team and we had a lack of experience in the back-line, and you need a little bit more experience with somebody who can organise in the back-line,” said Verbeek in reference to a defence quartet of Jade North, Milligan, Kisnorbo and Stefanutto.
“I have to be fair it was not only the back-line it was the whole team.
“Defensive organisation was not good. The second half was much better but the first half was definitely not good.”
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