Game Recap: Greece vs. South Korea (0-2)

To say Greece played lousy is an understatement, down right embarrassing is more fitting. I wasn’t optimistic after seeing the Starting XI, all the speed and creativity needed was left on the bench by Otto Rehhagel. Early on Greece had lots of possession and Geogios Samaras was causing early trouble down the left. Vasilis Torosidis had an early chance in front of goal just missing after a great cross by Giorgos Karagounis. After that everything fell apart. South Korea took a page out of the Greek playbook and scored early off a set piece, Ki Sung-Yueng cross was volleyed home from in close by Lee Jung-Soo. Terrible man-marking by Greece led to the early goal, and that seemed to unravel the Greek defence which looked shaky from then on. South Korea won almost every aerial ball and was able to go through the Greece's back line at will, two key areas of strength for Otto Rehhagel’s team. The midfield was also owned by the Koreans, forcing their opponents to try and beat them on the wings and by playing the long ball. Alexandros Tzorvas did all he can to keep his team in the game, denying Park Chu-Young on the breakaway after Loukas Vyntra was caught on his heels out of position; leading the pair into a verbal confrontation that showed Greece’s frustration. Karagounis delivery was awful all game long, same goes for Giourkas Seitaridis. Kostas Katsouranis was invisible all game long leaving Greece without any options in attack. Theofanis Gekas was left alone up front chasing balls all over the pitch as the service wasn’t there. Karagounis was subbed off to start the second half but his replacement Christos Patsatzoglou was average at best. Sotirios Kyrgiakos exclusion from the starting line-up in favor of Avraam Papadopoulos was another mystery, his physicality and aerial dominance was sorely missed. Speaking of exclusions, Sotiris Ninis couldn’t even get on as a sub, despite the lack of creativity and needing a goal Rehhagel left the speedy winger on the bench. The inclusion of Dimitrios Salpingidis in the 60th minute was welcomed, he changed the game and Greece looked more dangerous on the attack. It was too little too late unfortunately, by that time the game was lost. Newcomer Pantelis Kapetanos had a perfect chance to get one back after great work by Salpingidis , but the shot was sent way over the bar. Aside from that chance keeper Jung Sung-Ryong had few tests, usually just having to catch long balls sent into the box. It wasn’t till the 81st minute that he had to make a proper save to deny Theofanis Gekas from in close. When the final whistle blew Rehhagel stood on the sidelines looking visibly upset at his team’s performance. Greece were slow all game and played without energy, they lacked the kind of focus and determination needed to win at this important stage. Part of the blame goes to the players but I place the majority of it on Rehhagel. His reliance on the heroes of Euro 2004 is the teams Achilles heal and until he plays the best players available Greece will struggle. Im hoping those errors will be corrected for the game against Nigeria or all Greeks will have to endure another quick exit from the World Cup without scoring a goal.