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Party and praise for S. Korea's heroes

Disappointment for South Korea's fans was replaced by praise for their team's perfomance

SEOUL, South Korea -- Germany may have ended South Korea's spectacular World Cup adventure, but they failed to dent the admiration or celebrations that swept across Korea for the nation's now-conquered heroes.

Until Tuesday, South Korea's national team had been unbeaten, achieving a series of firsts and dispatching Portugal, Italy and Spain en route to an historic berth in the semifinals on the world sport's biggest stage.

For about two minutes after the final whistle signalled the 1-0 defeat to Germany, shocked silence and light applause descended upon Seoul's World Cup stadium.

Then fireworks lit up the sky over central Seoul where more than one million people had gathered to witness their team's performance. (Match report)

The anguish of defeat quickly turned to praise for South Korea's unexpected tournament performance after an estimated seven million -- almost one in seven of the population -- poured out into the streets to watch the game.

Fans, draped in the red-team color, chanted "Dae Han Min Guk" (Republic of Korea), danced in the streets to thumping music, belted drums and celebrated in one of the biggest parties Asia has ever seen.

Celebrations

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At Seoul's main Kwanghwamoon intersection, hundreds of thousands sang the national anthem at full voice while highlights from the team's games flashed above on large screens.

Although some heads were bowed as the massive throng in Seoul began to head home, others were staying on to mark their team's achievements in style.

"We did very well. We are still the best team in Asia. I don't think we lost anything tonight because we still have our people's spirit behind us," Kim Se-jin, a jewelry designer, said, summing up the mixture of disappointment and pride among the crowd.

Until this year, South Korea had never won a World Cup finals match in their five previous performances. Until this year also, no Asian team had reached the World Cup semifinals.

That is until South Korea's barnstorming efforts, who now finish no worse than fourth, with a game against the loser of the other Brazil-Turkey semifinal to take place on Saturday for third place. (Pride of Asia)

Three-times world champions Germany will go to their seventh World Cup final on June 30 in Yokohama, Japan, thanks to a 75th minute goal from playmaker Michael Ballack.

"It's too bad we could not win this one," said South Korea's veteran striker Hwang Sun-hong.

"We were not able to recover fully. Germany has played more big matches and they were able operate better than us. There are a lot of regrets but we tried our best. This is only the beginning for Korean soccer. I thank the Korean people. We have taken another step toward world class soccer."

Red Devils

Down but not out. The South Korean teams thanks their supporters

The South Korean team performance -- as well as the infectious fans and tremendous street parties that have accompanied their matches -- have installed the country firmly on the international map for visitors and international television viewers more than the 1988 Seoul Olympics did.

At the conclusion of the tournament, it may be Korea's fanatical "Red Devil" supporters that provide the lasting global image of a month-long football fiesta.

Another image set to remain in Korea is that of Guus Hiddink, the Dutch-born coach.

Hiddink has become a national hero, a cult figure and management guru in South Korea and politicians and company executives have found inspiration in his leadership. (Hiddink profile)

"We can be proud of the boys -- what they did," Hiddink said after the game. (Hiddink proud of team)

After the match ended, an electronic billboard lit up under a massive poster of the so-called "Dutch master" saying: "Thanks for the hard work. Let's pledge to take third place."