Turkey 3rd Best In World Cup with 3-2 Win Over S.Korea

    Turkey and the Korean Republic have been largely responsible for turning the 2002 FIFA World Cup into a triumph for the underdog and the teams saved another surprise for the game that ended with Turkey claiming third place in the tournament.

    Opening goal:

    The opening goal, timed at just over ten seconds, was the fastest ever recorded at the World Cup finals. After Hakan Sukur had grabbed a slice of history, two goals from Ilhan Mansiz, who was starting a game for the first time in the competition, put Turkey well in charge after Lee Eul-yong's free-kick equalizer.

Coaches can be proud

    The defeat was a sad way for the co-hosts to take their leave of the tournament in which they have contributed so much on and off the field but they did have the last word as Chong-Gug Song struck their second in injury time. If it is to prove Guus Hiddink's final game in charge it should not detract from the achievements of the Netherlands-born coach while his opposite number Senol Gunes can feel proud of the strides Turkey have achieved by finishing third in only their second World Cup finals appearance.

Rustu struggling

    Midway through the half Rustu suffered a muscle strain that began to seriously hamper his movement. Despite clearing signaling his desire to leave the field this wish was not granted and he was beaten in the 93rd minute when Chong-Gug Song buried the ball in the top of the net from long range.