Greece undone by positive South Korea

Greece began their preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a defeat by fellow finalists South Korea at Olympiacos FC's Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis.

The visitors took control from the off against Fernando Santos's side, whose play lacked intensity and pace throughout, opening the scoring just after the quarter-hour mark through Park Chu-Young. The second half was ten minutes old when Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Son Heung-Min doubled the advantage.

South Korea created their first good chance with seven minutes on the clock. Lee Chung-Yong, teed up by Park, found himself one on one with debutant goalkeeper Panagiotis Glykos, who made a smart save. Hong Myung-Bo's team were rewarded for their positive approach when Koo Ja-Cheol chipped the ball over the hosts' defence and Park volleyed in.

Stung by the concession of that goal, Greece awoke and, five minutes later, almost equalised. Giorgios Samaras launched a counterattack, finding José Holebas on the left. The Olympiacos full-back delivered a pinpoint cross to the far post, where the incoming Kostas Katsouranis, with the goal at his mercy, struck the upright.

The woodwork continued to frustrate Greece. In the 31st minute, following a corner by Holebas and a shot from Samaras, Vassilis Torossidis's header rattled the crossbar. Avraam Papadopoulos collected the rebound, but his shot met the same fate.

Like the first period, South Korea seized the initiative after the restart. They extended their lead when Son entered the penalty box from the left and, profiting from a back line slow to react, fired a powerful left-footed effort high into Glykos's goal.