Ki Sung Yeung had an eventful match as South Korea drew 1-1 with Russia in their opening tie of Group H.
With Belgium beating Algeria earlier in the day the draw suited both sides as they attempt to join the fancied Belgians in the knock out phase.
Ki picked up a first half booking but looked on course for a win bonus when Lee Keunho put South Korea ahead midway through the second half but the Russian’s equalised through Alex Kerzhakov.
After the match Korean coach Hong Myungbo said: “We didn’t get the win, but we can be happy with the draw. It was our first match of the competition and opening matches are always difficult. Even so, I’m happy with what I saw. We studied Russia and their coach’s tactics carefully and we prepared very well for the game.
“My players have given their very best, and showed how good they are in both a tactical and physical sense. The Russians, meanwhile, are fast players and there were times when they put us under pressure. I said to my players that they could hit long balls in response, though it wasn’t an order.”
South Korea’s next match is against Algeria on Saturday before they complete the group against Belgium on June 26.
After the World Cup is over Ki faces an uncertain future at club level after being loaned to Sunderland from Swansea.
The departure of Michael Laudrup should make a return to the Welsh side easier but after impressing for Sunderland a number of Premiership clubs have made known their interest in the former Celt.