South Korea`s Park Chu-young takes a shot during the final Group B contest against Gabong on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium, London. (London Olympic Joint Press Corps)
South Korea will face host Britain in the quarterfinals of the men's football tournament at the London Olympics, after a scoreless draw against Gabon Wednesday placed it among the final eight.
In the last Group B contest at Wembley Stadium, South Korea failed to convert a series of chances despite superior ball possession, and settled for its second 0-0 draw in London.
The result gave South Korea a win and two draws in group stage, good for second place.
South Korean supporters cheer on their team after the match against Gabong on Wednesday. (London Olympic Joint Press Corps)
In the other Group B contest in Cardiff, Mexico edged Switzerland 1-0 to take the first seed with two wins and a draw.
As the second seed in Group B, South Korea in the quarters will face Britain, the top-place nation from Group A. The host country clinched the top spot by beating Uruguay 1-0 later Wednesday in Cardiff.
This is South Korea's third trip to the knockout phase in Olympics in its ninth try. The country is seeking its first football medal.
After the teams ended the first half scoreless, Baek Sung-dong had an open chance near the penalty mark in the 56th minute after Gabon's failed clearing attempt, but the South Korean winger sailed the ball well over the crossbar.
Levy Madinda almost put Gabon on the board early in the second half, but his hard shot from just outside the box went off the right post.
South Korea had some close calls in the first half. In the fourth minute, arsenal forward Park Chu-young took a looping cross from Kim Young-gwon and got behind two Gabon defenders for a low shot, but Didier Ovono made a diving save.
Eight minutes later, Ki Sung-yueng stole a pass inside the Gabon zone and sent Koo Ja-cheol in alone on Ovono, who made another crucial stop. Koo then missed the net with a header in the 26th minute.
South Korea`s Koo Ja-cheol attempts a shot against Gabong during the final Group B contest on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium, London. (London Olympic Joint Press Corps)
Gabon's best first-half opportunity came about four minutes before the whistle, when Madinda curled one wide of the net.
The quarterfinals start this Saturday in London, Manchester, Newcastle and Cardiff.
South Korean coach Hong Myung-bo said getting to the quarterfinals is merely a step toward a bigger goal.
Our goal is to win every game the rest of the way," Hong said.
"I know we weren't able to capitalize on our chances. But games like this should serve as great learning experience for our team."
South Korea’s Ki Sung-yueng takes a free kick during the final Group B contest against Gabong on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium, London. (London Olympic Joint Press Corps)
If South Korea had finished at the top of the group, it would have stayed in London the rest of the tournament. But as a second seed, it travels to Cardiff for the quarters and, if it advances to the semis, to Manchester before returning to London for the gold medal contest.
Hong said the players already knew about the traveling demands well before the Olympics and it will come down to "mental strength" to get through the tough stretch.
Team captain Koo Ja-cheol said his teammates shouldn't feel so disappointed about not scoring against Gabon and should rejoice their progress into the final eight.
"We're a team that will go way beyond this stage," he said.
"Our confidence is running high. No matter who we face, we're going to play well." (Yonhap News)
(London Olympic Joint Press Corps)
