Friedel was happy with a point (Allsport).

By PA Sport Staff

Korea coach Guus Hiddink was left regretting missed chances after his side shared the spoils with the USA.

The Dutchman's team came up against in-form Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel and were only able to beat the American once.

Hiddink said: "We had a lot of good openings, maybe as many as nine, and you must take them at this level."

He added: "We made beautiful chances, and the draw may well be enough.

"I am happy about the way we performed and our attitude when we went behind."

"This group of players have proved they are the equal of European sides and can compete and dominate.

"Maybe I'm not smiling but their goalie was magnificent and our side deserves credit and compliments.

"But step by step I want more and it's good that people are starting to demand more.

"Six months ago Korea hardly existed as a football team, but look at us now, we could well qualify now for the last 16 which is a wonderful achievement."

Friedel played the game of his life to put the USA on the brink of qualification for the second phase of this captivating World Cup - and left the Korean nation is disarray.

Friedel saved a first-half penalty from Lee Eul Yong and made a string of wonderful saves to keep his country in with a chance of progress from the intriguing Group D.

The penalty was harshly awarded by Swiss referee Urs Meier for a foul by Jeff Agoos on Hwang Sun Hong when it was the Korean striker who had a handful of the American's shirt.

Friedel said: "I didn't think it was a penalty, their player was pulling Jeff, but I don't want to have a go at the referee because I felt he did okay."

He added: "We are delighted with the point. If anyone had said before the tournament that the USA would have four points after the first two games and be on the brink of qualifying, nobody would have believed them.

"But I think you have to give Korea some credit, they put us under a lot of pressure in the second half and it was difficult to withstand it all.

"As for their penalty, I just guessed right. I made a little feint one way and then went the other, and I just knew it would go the way I dived."

USA coach Bruce Arena accepted that, after a vocal pounding from 60,000 Koreans and being on the ropes from waves of attacks, the States had acquired a decent result.

The host nation have fantastic backing - as good as anywhere in the world - and Korea squandered a host of chances despite Friedel's heroics.

Arena said: "It was a big day for Korea as a country, as it was for us. They had 60,000 behind them but we will take the result and the point and get out of town real quick because this has been a hard place to play and survive."

All the anti-American hype beforehand had not eased the tension, with intense security at every corner and police and troops on alert.

But Friedel rose above all the politics and produced a wonderful display.

He added: "I feel reel good, real good, after that."

Arena said: "Friedel was man of the match, obviously, but our whole back line was fantastic and Eddie Pope was fantastic there for us.

"Korea are athletic, and strong and know how to use their fitness and power."

The Americans were under intense early pressure with Friedel outstanding, but they weathered the storm and broke away for Clint Mathis to drive home after 24 minutes.

Korea powered back and looked like they had been given a lifeline with that penalty.

But Friedel plunged to his right to beat out Yong's effort.

The second half was very much the Americans' back line of defiance against Korea's surging attacks and a string of chances - all stopped by Friedel until the 77th minute when substitute Ahn Jung Hwan, the Perugia striker, headed home a free-kick.

But the USA and Friedel hung on grimly to their precious point and now go into their final group match against Poland with a very real chance of qualifying - as have Korea who must overcome an ageing Portugal.