Italy's Coco - exhausted after Korea defeat (Allsport)

By Paul Walker, PA Sport, Daejeon

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Furious Italy are on their way home having been accused by their Korean conquerors of not being fit enough.

Italy's players and coach Giovanni Trapattoni blasted Ecuadorian referee Byron Moreno for the red card that robbed the Italians of playmaker Francesco Totti.

But the triumphant South Koreans hit back with claims that the famous Azzurri "fell apart" to lose 2-1 to a golden goal.

Midfielder Yoo Sang-chul said: "Italy never gave us too many problems, and I felt that we lasted the game better and were physically much the stronger in the end.

"The result is unbelievable but we didn't think we would lose. As time went by we knew Italy's defence would fall apart because we had better stamina.

"The turning point was when Italy tried to defend their one goal, it's hard to do that and that was when they started to fall apart."

The Italians looked set for victory, leading by Christian Vieri's early strike with the clock ticking down.

But the Koreans' never-say-die spirit eventually produced one of the World Cup's biggest shocks.

South Korea, who had not won a finals match in 14 attempts before this tournament, first equalised in the 88th minute through Seol Ki-hyeon.

And with just three minutes of extra-time remaining, Ahn Jung-hwan redeemed himself for an earlier penalty miss to head the winner.

Midfielder Lee Young-pyo heaped more criticism on the Italians, saying: "The reason we won was because we had more stamina during the second half.

"I am very happy we are continuing to make world history and we will continue to play against strong nations and find out their weaknesses."

The Italians though will go home complaining of dark plots and damaging refereeing decisions, and on the latter they have a point.

Moreno seemed affected by the volume of passionate home support, and the Italians were on the wrong end of some poor decisions.

And when Totti looked to be tripped in the box, only to be yellow-carded for diving and consequently dismissed, the Italians cracked.

Trapattoni, who was so angry he punched the fourth official's perspex-covered seating area, said: "I do not understand what the red card was for, it was a penalty because Totti was tripped.

"The referee gave a red card for no reason, he did not fall, he was tripped. The whole world has seen the match and saw what happened.

"We will leave with our heads high but with a lot of recrimination, but this is football. A lot of decisions went against us and that was not right.

"That is when we started to go downhill because of all the things people saw happening to us."

He added: "I felt we made the more chances and that Italy should be the side in the quarter-finals.

"It did not help us losing such a fine player at that stage, but I do accept that Korea played with all their heart."

Korea's desire to attack meant that captain Hong Myung-bo - playing in his fourth World Cup finals - was taken off by Hiddink.

The defender, who has 129 caps, said: "The game was tough but we didn't give up, we always had confidence we could do it, even when I was on the bench in the second half I still had belief in my colleagues.

"I am just happy with the outcome and for the fans whose support was wonderful.

"As for facing Vieri, he was not as dangerous an opponent as I expected."