South Korea's Lee scores late winner against Greece

LONDON, Feb 7 (Reuters) A stunning late free kick from Lee Chun-soo gave South Korea a 1-0 victory over Greece in the international friendly played in front of a sparse but passionate crowd at Craven Cottage.

Lee curled in a 78th-minute effort yesterday from the tightest of angles to provide the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists with the ideal preparation for their upcoming Asia Cup campaign.

It was the European champions, however, who dominated a first half which slowly came to life. Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras was their most potent threat, firing just wide on two occasions.

Both sides hit the woodwork before and after halftime as first Lee headed against the post before Greek substitute Stelios Giannakopoulos's header hit the bar.

The Bolton Wanderers' midfielder proved to be the Greeks' main outlet following his introduction for Samaras at halftime and he later had an injury-time effort ruled out for offside.

Yet his side could hardly bemoan the assistant referee's flag as five minutes earlier Feyenoord's Angelos Charisteas had somehow contrived to miss from six metres out.

REUTERS PM KP0916