IT was only after the capacity South Korean crowd began booing, and then fighting, did the whole country realise how remote were their dreams of a third successive trip to the World Cup next year.
The angry scenes followed a disappointing 1-0 victory over Pogon Szczecin of Poland.
One observer said the crowd had ''goose bumps of fear'' after their team squandered at least a dozen chances in front of goal.
South Korea are one of only six teams through to the Qatar-hosted final stage of the Asian World Cup qualifying process - along with North Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran.
Complacency has been the consistent factor in their preparations. This has translated into shoddy passing and poor finishing.
Several key players remain overseas and a handful more are sidelined with injuries. If they recover, they will be ready just in time for the final leg of the squad's warm-up - a trip through Germany a week before the World Cup final stage starts on October 15.
