[Yonhap News Photo]
South Korea pounded Fiji 8-0 for a rousing start to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic football tournament.
Midfielder Ryu Seung-woo picked up the first hat trick in South Korean Olympic history, while midfielder Kwon Chang-hoon and forward Suk Hyun-jun each grabbed a brace in Group C action at Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, some 1,600 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro. Seven of the eight goals came in the second half.
It was the most goals ever scored by South Korea in an Olympic football match. The previous record was five against Mexico at the 1948 London Olympics.
South Korea will next face Germany on Sunday at the same venue, before traveling to Brasilia, some 1,200 kilometers northwest of Rio, to play Mexico next Wednesday. South Korea are leading Group C, with Germany and Mexico ending in a 2-2 draw earlier Thursday.
The top two teams from each of the four groups will reach the quarterfinals.
South Korea are in their eighth consecutive Olympics and are gunning for their second straight medal, after earning bronze in London four years ago.
(Yonhap)
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
