League side draw with Korea

THE domestic soccer season finally came to an end last night when a National League selection played out a pedestrian draw against…

THE domestic soccer season finally came to an end last night when a National League selection played out a pedestrian draw against a Korean Olympic team at the AUL Complex at Clonshaugh.

A strong crossfield wind frustrated both sides much of the time but the National League played the better football in the first half and were just about value for their interval lead.

The goal came in the 33rd minute and owed more to defensive inefficiencies than to anything else. A speculative ball in from the left by Drogheda's Trevor Crolly caught the Korean defence unawares and it bounced once to end up in the back of the net with the goalkeeper apparently unsighted.

Korea made four changes at the break and came right into the game in the second half. They deservedly equalised in the 73rd minute with a fine goal. A low cross in from the left by Sung Yong Choi was met at the edge of the Irish box by Hyung Doo Cho, on the field only a few minutes, and he beat Eddie Van Boxtel with a crisply struck shot.

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Juergen Klinsmann yesterday denied reports that he planned to return to English football next season. "My future is at Bayern Munich. I want to win the German championship and the European Cup," said the former Tottenham Hotspur forward who has been reported to be set to join Chelsea. "I have to smile about all this speculation."