South Korea's players celebrate scoring the second goal during the first match of World Cup 2006 Group G against Togo at Frankfurt World Cup Stadium, Germany, June 13, 2006. (Xinhua photo)

    FRANKFURT, June 13 (Xinhua) -- South Korea Republic scored two second half goals to beat World Cup debut 10-man Togo 2-1 in their opening World Cup group tie on Tuesday.

    Substitute Ahn Jung-Hwan scored the winner in the 71st minute when turned and fired a deflected shot into the top right-hand corner of the Togo net.

    Togo first scored in the 31st minute through Mohammed Kader who latched on to a through ball, took it in his stride and fired a shot across South Korea's goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae and in off the far post.

    South Korea striker Lee Chun-Soo hit in the equaliser in the 53rd minute when he curled an exquisite free-kick over the Togo wall and into the net.

    The free kick was earned by midfielder Park Ji Sung who was hauled down by Togo skipper Jean-Paul Abalo. The foul earned Abalo' s second yellow card and he was sent off.

    South Korean coach Dick Advocaat was happy with the way his team kept their composure, coming from behind to beat 10-man Togo in their opening game.

    "To be fair, the players were very calm at halftime even though they were behind," said the Dutchman.

    "In the second half we took some risks and it was a success.

    "It is so important to win your first game because it normally means you stay in the tournament for the second round," he added.

    Otto Pfster, who resigned as Togo's coach on Friday but returned to the team several hours before the kickoff, refused to comment if he will continue with the job.

    He claimed he was proud of his side's World Cup debut despite their loss.

    "Early on there was little between the teams. The South Koreans had three or four chances, we had four or five. When you don't score you lose," he said.

    "When you get a red card, then it becomes hard. Overall we played a good match in a 10 v 11 situation."

    Cherif Toure Mama, playmaker of Togo, said he has no idea who will be their coach for their next coach.

    "I don't know and I don't mind who will be there. I just want to play football, that is the most important thing," he said.

    He believed that the send-off of Abalo was the main reason for their loss. "The South Korean players are very quick and they knew what they should do. The weather was very hot there, and if you play 10 against 11, you would have to lose." Enditem