South Korea dominates Greece

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa - South Korea opened the World Cup like it wanted to repeat its 2002 run to the semifinals. Greece looked like it was stuck in 1994.

Lee Jung-soo and Park Ji-sung each scored and South Korea won, 2-0, over lackluster Greece in yesterday's first Group B match.

"If we had been a little bit calmer, we could have had an even better result," South Korea coach Huh Jung-moo said.

Playing in its seventh consecutive World Cup - including its 2002 appearance in the semifinals, when it co-hosted the tournament with Japan - South Korea controlled the tempo throughout.

Greece has been to the tournament only once before, in 1994. Back then, the Greeks let Argentina score just two minutes into the opening game. The Greeks improved this time around - by five minutes.

Ki Sung-yong curled in a free kick from near the left corner in the seventh minute, and the ball brushed the top of Konstantinos Katsouranis' head before reaching Lee at the far post. The central defender tapped it in.

Park Ji-sung doubled the lead in the 52nd. The Manchester United midfielder intercepted a misplaced pass and skipped past two defenders before slipping a shot beyond goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas.

At the end, Greece coach Otto Rehhagel had a fierce scowl on his face. "We really have to get our act together," Rehhagel said.