Ecstatic supporters take to the streets in frenzy

HUNDREDS of thousands of ecstatic South Koreans roared and danced with uncontained joy in the heart of their capital last night after their team stunned Italy to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

Multicoloured fireworks erupted from office blocks in the centre of Seoul where police estimated some 1.1 million fans almost all clad in red t-shirts had gathered to watch the second-round match on giant television screens.

Deliriously they yelled team chants as pop music thudded across the city, scenes that were repeated in Taejon stadium and all across the country of 48 million people.

“I feel great. We won again. Long live Korea”, screamed Park Jae-Yol, a 22-year-old student, above the noise of the crowds.

Striker Ahn Jung-Hwan headed the golden goal winner that put the co-hosts into the last eight with a 2-1 win in a dramatic match destined to boost the already stellar status of Dutch coach Guus Hiddink.

“I’m elated that we won. We can go to the final four and then all the way. Ahn Jung-Hwan, Hiddink, Seol Ki-hyeon, everyone is a hero to me”, said Kim Un-Jin, 25, an office worker.

“I couldn’t help bursting into tears”, said Kim Yun-hee, a 19-year-old high school student. “I will enjoy this spirit all night long tonight,” she said, sobbing.

South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, his country’s self-styled cheerleader-in-chief despite the personal grief of having two of his sons embroiled in scandals, hailed the outcome of a match he watched on television from his official residence. “Congratulations, fellow Koreans. Long live the Republic of Korea”, beamed Kim, the red scarf of a supporter draped around his neck.

Police estimated four million people were on the streets across the country. In Seoul, there were 1.1 million people between city hall and the city’s main Kwanghwamoon junction.

Newspapers were as buoyant as the fans about reaching the quarter-finals, matching rival North Korea’s 1966 feat of making the last eight after knocking out Italy.

“This is a miracle,” declared Chosun Ilbo, a leading Seoul daily. “Not satisfied with Korea’s first ever advance to the final 16, our 23 players created a drama for the fans who supported them with burning passion.”

From dawn, red-clad supporters gathered in central Seoul to stake out their spot in front of giant television screens. Some were already banging drums before most workers had had their first cup of coffee.

By early evening, after a blistering day, hundreds of thousands of Red Devils fans were in place, chanting and listening to music at Seoul’s main Kwanghwamoon intersection.

“This is the number one day for Korea”, said 35-year-old Suh Jung-duk at the Taejon stadium, echoing newspapers that had compared South Korea’s victory over Portugal last week to its liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945.

“Foreign countries will look at my country with more respect”, said Oh Im-sae, a 40-year-old Seoul shopkeeper, giddily tipsy after a night of beers with friends. “I am proud of being a Korean,” he said.