At the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, the host Team South Korea reached the final four, creating the best record of an Asian team in the World Cup, and no other Asian team has been able to break this record. However, as the host, the South Korean team has been "cared for" by the referee many times in the World Cup, and there are many controversial penalties in the two games that eliminated Italy and Spain. Therefore, many other Asian countries except South Korea do not regard this World Cup final four as the glory of Asian football.
A few days ago, Lee Tian-so, a former South Korean international who participated in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, mentioned the match with Italy when participating in a show. The match was a one-size-fits-all, with South Korea winning a penalty in the first half, but Ahn Jung-hwan's penalty was saved by Buffon. Vieri's header then broke the deadlock and gave Italy the lead, with Xue Equalising before the finale and the match in extra time. In extra time, Ecuadorian referee Moreno inexplicably sent Totti off, and then Italy, which was one less man, was killed by Ahn Jung-hwan's header.
During the match, Kim Tae-young visibly elbowed Piero, and referee Moreno did not show the Korean a red card. In the 79th minute, Substitute Li Tianxiu raised his foot to shoot, which was blocked by Maldini. At that time, Li Tianxiu was kicking Maldini's head, causing the latter's head to break and bleed. It was also the head injury that caused Maldini to be crushed by Ahn Jung-hwan in the final moments of extra time, which caused the Italian team to suffer a deadly attack.
In a recent variety show on South Korean television, former South Korean international Lee Tian-so, who participated in the match, recalled his conflict with Maldini. Speaking of the details of a headshot Maldini, teammates believe that Li Tianxiu's action of kicking Maldini should be deliberate.
In this regard, Lee Tianxiu also cheekily admitted it, and he also explained the reason for the violence on the court, "Those Italian players are too blind, I feel that they look down on us Korean players." There were also other Korean players who were injured in the game, and the guy I played was called Maldini, who was the captain. I didn't kick him because he was Maldini, but he was there. ”
Li Tianxiu's remarks naturally caused a lot of controversy, they wanted to be looked up to by the Italian players, but won the game in the dirtiest way. Who can afford such behavior?
Lee was given the opportunity to travel to Europe after that World Cup, moving to Real Sociedad in La Liga and then on loan to Numancia. After returning to South Korea to join Ulsan Hyundai, Lee Tian-so was given a second chance to break into Europe in 2007, when he joined Feyenoord of the Dutch League.