Ten-man Togo failed to hold on to a stunning one-goal lead and lost to South Korea 2-1 in their World Cup game on Tuesday. The World Cup debutants opened the score line in the 31st minute through Kader Mohamed but collapsed in he second period after defender Jean-Paul Abalo was sent-off with a second yellow card. Benefiting from the numerical advantage, Chun Soo Lee and Ahn Jung Hwan found the net to secure the three points for the 2002 semi-finalists. Korea now top Group G on three points ahead of France's game against Switzerland later on Tuesday. German coach Otto Pfister returned to take charge of Togo and the team looked confident as they were making their first appearance in the World Cup. Mohamed grabbed a much deserved lead when he latched on to a long pass before firing a low drive into the far corner of the net.
Togo's players celebrating their goal Korea attacked furiously after the break and Abalo brought down Ho Lee who was on his way to score to collect his second booking and receive his marching orders. Lee successfully delivered the equalizer into the top corner from the resulting free-kick in the 54th minute. Korea continued their pressure and Hwan hammered a powerful finish home in the 72nd minute to put his side in front. In the dying seconds, Togo had the chance to level when Emmanuel Adebayor was released with a long pass but failed to control the ball with the goal at his mercy. Togo next take on Switzerland while Korea face former champions France.
