Local Soccer Fans Are Worlds Apart for Mexico-S. Korea Match

A stunning first-half goal by South Korea left Mexico’s loyal legions gasping in disbelief. A dozen dumbstruck fans walked out of a Huntington Park eatery, convinced that, once again, Mexico would be humiliated on the international stage.

But, at a Koreatown hotel, the scene was dramatically different. Before the Spanish-language announcer could finish enunciating his trademark “Gooooooaaal!,” avid fans were on their feet, cheering along with their delirious compatriots in the stands in France. Some sensed their nation’s first-ever triumph at this level of competition.

“Maybe we’ll win, but Mexico is a good team,” said a cautious Yong Kim, one in a mostly male crowd of about 30 gathered at the Cafe Fontana in Koreatown’s Seoul Palace Hotel, sipping morning tea and soft drinks as they observed their beloved Red Devils.

Saturday’s opening-round match of the World Cup featured the national teams of Mexico and South Korea, two countries with huge immigrant populations in Los Angeles.

Many had anticipated their respective homeland’s World Cup match for months and years, underscoring the extraordinary global appeal of a sport that remains secondary in the United States.

Never mind that this was the first sunny morning in a while. It was time for chuk-goo, futbol.

With the game starting at 8:30 a.m. California time, many fans elected to watch at home. Some made a brunch out of it, inviting friends over to share native delicacies. But others gravitated to restaurants, hotels and other public places, the better to share their passion with like-minded countrymen.

Emotions ebbed and flowed on both sides after South Korea took a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute on a free kick that ricocheted off the head of a Mexican defender and into the goal. The atmosphere was taut. Hearts were pounding.

“Oh, he fell down on purpose,” said Jay Kim, 34, as a Mexican player tumbled to the grass holding his shin, apparently hopeful of securing a penalty call.

The Mexican squad, like its fans, seemed frustrated, disbelieving.

“We have to attack more,” said an antsy Alfredo Rocha, a 31-year-old restaurant worker, seated with his son, Alfredo Jr., at El Gallo Giro in Huntington Park, where the 24-hour kitchen staff prepared extra orders of chicharrones (pork rinds) in green-chile sauce to accommodate an influx of World Cup-watchers.

At halftime, South Korea was still holding its 1-0 advantage. The atmosphere in Huntington Park was funereal. Expectations in Koreatown were high.

“Right now, I’m supposed to be at the airport, picking someone up, but I can’t leave,” said Don Cha, hotel limousine driver.

Likewise, Miguel Arciel, 27, was missing time from his job as a warehouseman.

“I hope my boss understands,” Arciel said as he sat in a booth at the break, waiting for the second half to begin. “I just have to be here.”

Soon, he and other aficionados of the Mexican tricolor had reason to rejoice.

Six minutes into the second half, Ricardo Pelaez, a substitute, put home a corner kick that glanced off the foot of Yoo Sang Chul, the Korean captain.

In Huntington Park, relief greeted Mexico’s first goal of the ’98 Mundial. At least Mexico would put up a fight. Cooks dressed in white uniforms rushed over to marvel at the replays.

“Now you’ll see more people coming in to watch,” predicted Eduardo Saavedra, the restaurant manager.

And, indeed, pedestrians began to file in off the street and into a restaurant festooned with pinatas, bunting, balloons and other decorations in Mexico’s national colors, green, white and red.

Alas, there was no joy among those gathered in Koreatown or at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Century City, where South Korean President Kim Dae Jung and his entourage were concluding a state visit. An aide informed the chief executive of the tying goal during an interview. The president showed no sign of emotion.

Mexico pressed its attack, leaving the red-shirted Koreans in disarray. Star striker Luis Hernandez connected twice in the second frame, his blond locks flowing as he sprinted exuberantly from each goal.

“El Guero!” shouted someone in Huntington Park, using a nickname for fair-haired people.

Enthusiasm waned in Koreatown, where fans watched listlessly as their team, and hopes, unraveled on the giant screen.

“It’s so frustrating,” said Anhee Choi, the only woman in the group.

Soon, the Korean men began fishing for cigarettes in their sports jackets and preparing to leave. They could only hope for better as the tournament advances--and the competition gets tougher.

“It’s OK,” sighed one man as he left the room. “It’s OK.”

It was left to the fanaticos of Mexico to celebrate the 3-1 victory.

Along Pacific Boulevard in Huntington Park, a vibrant commercial magnet for Latino immigrants, exultant drivers blared their vehicles’ horns, clenched their fists and shouted from car windows, “Viva Mexico!” Other emerged with shiny green jerseys, like those worn by their heroes in France. The partying had only begun in Mexico, L.A.

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Times staff writer K. Connie Kang contributed to this story.