South Korea Makes a Point on Its Way Out

South Korea, a team that had been outscored, 8-1, in its first two games and fired its coach before the third, tied Belgium, 1-1, at Parc des Princes on Thursday, a result that accomplished two things:

1. It kept Belgium in third place behind Mexico in Group E, eliminating the Belgians from contention for a berth in the second round.

2. It left the United States in danger of becoming the only team to not manage at least a point in this World Cup.

Thursday’s draw secured South Korea (0-2-1) its point. If Japan and Jamaica tie their match today and Tunisia ties or defeats Romania, the United States (0-3-0) will be the only side in the 32-team field to finish play with zero points.

The Belgians (0-0-3), who took the lead on Luc Nilis’ goal in the seventh minute, were stunned by their inability to put away South Korea, still winless in five World Cups. Belgium needed a victory and a Holland defeat of Mexico to advance, but neither came, prompting Belgium Coach Georges Leekens to hint he was about to resign.

“We started well but then we collapsed after the first goal,” Leekens said. “I thought we were ready to go for 4-0. Maybe it’s mental distress that caused the collapse, I don’t know . . .

“Overall in this World Cup, we did not have enough quality. We will have our critics in the next few days, that I know. For myself, I will hold a press conference at 10 in the morning.”

South Korea equalized on a goal by captain Yoo Sang-chul in the 71st minute after Belgium had spent most of the match squandering opportunities.

A controversial decision by Leekens to replace his best offensive midfielder, captain Enzo Scifo, in the second half with Franky Van der Elst may have cost Belgium the victory. Scifo’s header off a corner kick from Luis Oliveira set up Belgium’s only goal--after Kim Do-keun cleared the ball off his line, Nilis knocked in the rebound--and nearly scored in the fifth minute on a bending shot that South Korean Kim Byung-ji barely batted away.