World Cup Bomb-FIFA Player of the Year Proposed On Field Match Fixed to keep U.S. from Advancing

Pravda News Wire and the Official South Korean News Agency ^ | June 17, 2002 | Timothy Bankcroft Hinchey

[codebreaker]

South Korean football player Lee Young Pyo has declared that the Portuguese star player, Luis Figo, elected FIFA World Player of the Year 2001/2002 proposed that both teams should play for a draw.

(In the final qualifying match that sent the US into the second round VIA a South Korean win)

Meanwhile in Lisbon Figo is rumoured to be giving up his international career after the hostile reception the Portugese team was given by the fans.

Lee Young Pyo has stated that Luis Figo approached him at the start of the second half of the (South Korean-Portugal) game and suggested that both teams 'should facilitate a draw' according to the Official South Korean News Agency.

Young-Pyo had said that he had not understood at first, but only afterwards did he register what had been proposed.

In the event Korea won the game 1-0 and Portugal was eliminated from the competition.

[smith288]

Im glad Korea told them to sit and spin.

[codebreaker]

I think the guy just didn't understand, he might have gone for it..

[goldstategop]

Portugal's loss kept us alive and helped us beat Mexico to get into the semifinals. Not that we owe them any favors.

[GaryMontana]

The Korean player should have asked the player from Portugal where was the army from Portugal when South Korea was fighting for it's life? We know where the American army was.

[Shermy]

Apparently this is common. It seems to be called "playing for a draw." It was in Portugal's interest to do so - South Korea would not have been effected. But Korea went ahead and walloped them.

[Shermy]

Further, it was done at the beginning of the second half, when Portugal knew that USA lost or would lose in an earlier started game with Poland. At that time Port knew it needed only a tie, not a win, to advance.

[dougherty]

Well, I'm impressed with the South Koreans on this. I was a bit harsh on their fans in another thread, but their players seem decent and honest.

[Kermit]

Rats, we missed the opportunity to add two more countries to the Axis of Evil.:^)

[Russell Scott]

Wow! A country that actually did something for us in return for us shedding our blood on their behalf. Ok, so its a silly game, but its better than what the terrorist loving EU ever did for us. Thank God France is out. Hopefully we can kick Germany out in the next round. Pray we have some angels in the net with Brad. If the U.S. wins the cup, it will be like the "miracle on ice" in Lake Placid.

[Kermit]

Well, I'm impressed with the South Koreans on this. I was a bit harsh on their fans in another thread, but their players seem decent and honest......and clueless.

[July 4th]

Yes, the Koreans played well when they didn't have to. But while I'd like to think it was out of respect for the US, I'm sure most of it was due to 40,000 Koreans cheering them on to win. They didn't want to disappoint their own fans.

[AGreatPer]

This is interisting. I have heard of this before at some high school and college games but the suggestion of a tie never seems to work.

Last year when my U15B team played in Amsterdam I was approached by an English coach who stated something like, "If we tie this game, we will probably meet in the championship". I never thought a thing about it until now. A tie would have not eliminated them. Hmmm, we kicked their butt, 3-1.

For this to happen on an international basis is truly something to be followed-up.

[codebreaker]

It was true that both teams would have advanced with a draw.

Perhaps this is why the best player in the wolrd is being forced out for gambling like Mike Jordan

[July 4th]

Sure, I think it's hard to make a tie work. You know how hard you have to play to score a goal - just give it your all and hope you find a hole in the defense. But to play to a tie could end up being pretty obvious, i.e. players intentionally whiffing kicks or tripping. Players don't know how to play for a tie.

[Leto]

Both games were played at the same time to avoid this sort of situation, however the US trailed Poland 2-0 at halftime.

This sort of thing is not unheard of in Europe. The Korean fans want wins.

[AGreatPer]

"Players don't know how to play for a tie."...........How true!!

[smith288]

Umm, it was Portugal wanting to tie the match keeping us out... Unless im reading this wrong, Korea told him to kiss his heal and Korea beat them.

[AGreatPer]

I have been thinking about this and I think I have the answer. Luis Figo approached a Korean Player and said something about playing for a tie (BTW. I reviewed the tape and there is no evidence of this). No big deal. I think it was said in jest. Figo is great and has a good personality. Story over.