Zambia-South Korea: Losing to Zambia Means Little to South Korea World Cup Hopes

Heading into their first match of 2010, the South Korean football fans could not have expected their team to be over-matched by a Zambian team that didn't even qualify for this year's World Cup.

However, being beaten was likely of little concern to Huh Jung-Moo, South Korea's coach. After all, this match was more about gaining experience than anything else. 

Having spent most of the previous week training and preparing for the World Cup in the high altitude of Johannesburg, South Africa, the main goal of the week was to get the team ready for the lighter air in preparation for the World Cup.

Another goal for the week was to evaluate several younger players and give them a taste of international experience in an attempt to solidify the few remaining spots on the roster for the 2010 World Cup.

All told, 14 of the 25 players on the roster for the game had fewer than three international caps, with six players playing in their very first international game for South Korea. 

Due to their club team schedules, none of South Korea's European players, including captain Park Ji-Sung of Manchester United, were able to make the trip to South Africa, assuring a chance for Coach Huh to feel comfortable evaluating new talent throughout the match.

Of course, despite winning not being a top priority for the match, a 4-2 loss is never something that a coach would root for. 

That being said, the South Korean side did show a lot of heart by playing tough and never giving up.

Despite being down 2-0 after 14 minutes, South Korea was able to get a goal back in the 35th minute on a well-placed shot from outside the box by midfielder Kim Jung-Woo.

Then, in the 83rd minute, despite being down by a score of 4-1, the team was able to close the scoring gap when midfielder Gu Ja-Cheol scored his first international goal on a rebound, thanks to a slow to recover Zambian goalkeeper.

All things considered, a 4-2 showing against Zambia was respectable, despite the goal differential.

Coach Huh was able to evaluate a large number of young players. Young players who showed a lot of gusto despite being out-played by a more experienced Zambian team.

If anything, this game should make South Korean soccer fans more excited about what the future holds for the team beyond the 2010 World Cup.