<P> Iran's first game of Group F was played against Yugoslavia, a 1--0 loss instigated by a Siniša Mihajlović free - kick . Iran recorded their first World Cup victory in the second game, beating the United States 2--1, with Hamid Estili and Mehdi Mahdavikia scoring goals for Iran . The Iran--U.S. World Cup match was preheated with much excitement owing to each country's political stance after the Iranian Revolution . In an act of defiance against all forms of hatred or politics in sports, however, both sides presented one another with gifts and flowers and took ceremonial pictures before the match kickoff . Following the defeat by Iran, the U.S. were eliminated from the World Cup . Iran played Germany in the third game, where they lost 2--0 . German goals were scored from Oliver Bierhoff and Jürgen Klinsmann . The one win and two defeats left Iran third in the final group standings, not enough for progression to the next round . </P> <P> South Korea entered the 1998 World Cup without a single win to their name despite 14 World Cup games' experience . South Korea played Mexico, the Netherlands and Belgium . In the first game, South Korea lead in the 27th minute thanks to a Ha Seok - ju free - kick that was deflected into the Mexican goal . A couple of minutes after the goal was scored, however, Ha Seok - ju was sent off for a bad challenge from behind, and Mexico leveled the score through half - time substitute Ricardo Peláez . With approximately 15 minutes remaining, Luis Hernández put Mexico in the lead with a simple tap - in . Hernández then went on to complete the victory after scoring Mexico's third goal . South Korea had to wait four more years to record their first ever victory in a World Cup: its next game against the Netherlands was a heavy 0--5 defeat, the third - worst loss in the nation's World Cup history . Its third game was against Belgium . A big win would have given Belgium a chance of progressing and an early goal by Luc Nilis might have set them on the way . The Koreans, however, mounted stiff resistance and in the second half, and Yoo Sang - chul scored the equaliser in an eventual 1--1 draw . </P> <P> South Korea and Japan were selected as hosts by FIFA on 31 May 1996 . Initially, South Korea, Japan and Mexico presented three rival bids . However, the two Asian countries agreed to unite their bids shortly before the decision was made, and they were chosen unanimously in preference to Mexico . This was the first (and so far the only) World Cup to be hosted by two countries . The 2002 World Cup was the tournament's 17th staging . It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was utilized . South Korea and Japan, the co-hosts, qualified automatically, leaving 2.5 spots open for competition between 40 teams . Myanmar withdrew from the tournament after being placed in Group 2 but before any matches had been played, therefore reducing the group to three teams . Afghanistan, Bhutan, North Korea and Timor - Leste did not participate in the qualification process . Asia's two remaining automatic qualifying berths were taken by Saudi Arabia and China PR . Iran failed to become a third Asian representative in the World Cup after losing their AFC / UEFA playoff against the Republic of Ireland . </P> <P> China PR qualified for the finals for the first time . Coached by Bora Milutinović (the fifth national team he coached in five consecutive World Cups), the nation failed to earn a point or even score a goal . As football is widely followed in China, national team success is considered to be a source of national pride . Around 300 million people tuned into broadcasts of China's 2002 World Cup matches, with a staggering 170 million new television sets being bought by citizens in order to watch their nation's first World Cup appearance . Its first game was against Costa Rica . Costa Rica dealt China PR a harsh blow by taking the lead against the run of play on 61 minutes . Rónald Gómez's slick backheel played Paulo Wanchope in, and Wu Chengying's challenge only popped the ball up for Gómez to fire in a left - foot shot . China PR had no time to gather their thoughts before they were 2--0 down . China's PR best moment of the first - half came on 39 minutes when they broke quickly after fending off a Costa Rica free - kick . Its second game against Brazil was a 0--4 defeat . China PR looked lively and appeared to be enjoying themselves, even when they overhit the ball, but China PR could not do anything about Roberto Carlos's left - footed free - kick goal in the 15th minute . Ronaldo then scored two and Ronaldinho one to effectively end the match . China PR searched for their first goal of the tournament in their third match, against Turkey . After just ten minutes, however, they were already down 0--2 . Just before the half - hour mark, China PR almost scored their first goal of the tournament when Yang Chen hit the post . Hasan Şaş again set up Turkey with a cross to the far post, this time for Ümit Davala to score off the post . China PR failed to score a goal and was eliminated from the tournament . </P>

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