Friedel remains upbeat

United States goalkeeper Brad Friedel remained upbeat despite his side failing to hold onto their lead as South Korea battled back for a 1-1 draw.

Clint Mathis put the Americans ahead in the first half before Ahn Jung Hwan levelled after the break.

‘‘If someone had said we could have four points going into our final game then I think we would have taken it,’’ said the Blackburn keeper.

‘‘Today, you have to give credit to the Koreans for putting us under so much pressure in the second half.’’

Friedel had saved Lee Eul Yong’s penalty at the end of the first half to keep the US ahead.

‘‘I felt he was going to go that way for some reason, who knows why,’’ he said.