The Tribune

By GERALD IMRAY, 

AP Sports Writer

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (AP) — Sweden got the break they needed from the video review system, and team captain Andreas Granqvist didn’t waste the chance.

Granqvist slid his penalty kick into the bottom right corner of the net in the 65th minute to give Sweden a 1-0 victory over South Korea on Monday at the World Cup.

“I was calm. I waited for the goalie and then I put it in the corner,” said Granqvist, a central defender. “We got the penalty, we scored, and then it was just a fight to the end.”

The Swedes, playing in their first World Cup since 2006, were awarded the penalty after Salvadoran referee Joel Aguilar consulted a video screen on the sideline. Aguilar had originally waved play on after South Korea substitute Kim Min-woo slid into a tackle and collided with Viktor Claesson. But he took another look and decided Kim had tripped Claesson as he tried to clear the ball.

“There was no doubt it was a penalty and should have been called right away,” Sweden coach Janne Andersson said.

It was the third penalty to be awarded because of a video review in the first 12 games at this year’s World Cup. France and Peru also benefitted from the technology, though the Peruvians missed their penalty kick.

The video review system, making its World Cup debut in Russia, appears to be working so far.

“We do agree that it was a good call,” South Korea coach Shin Tae-yong said.

Sweden are now tied for first place in Group F with Mexico, who beat Germany 1-0. The Swedes will next face the Germans on Saturday, while South Korea play Mexico on the same day.

Although Sweden used the video review to win, they were the better team and showed most of the attacking intent. The Swedes just couldn’t beat goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo until the penalty.

Jo saved a close-range shot from Marcus Berg midway through the first half, using his right leg to make the block and then jumping back up to punch the ball away with both hands. He also stopped a powerful, dipping header from Ola Toivonen in the second half.

Shin fielded Jo, the team’s third-choice goalkeeper, because he is the tallest of the three keepers and the Koreans wanted to use his height against the Swedes.

Shin also gambled on a three-man attack of Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan and 6-foot-6 striker Kim Shin-wook.

South Korea, who have won only two World Cup matches since their incredible run to the semifinals in 2002, had a chance to level in injury time but Hwang put a header wide from in front of goal.