For the first time in it’s club’s history, Swiss based FC Basel advances to it’s first European semifinal, beating Tottenham in the Europa League quarterfinals in a dramatic shootout after a 2-2 draw and extra time couldn’t resolve things.
Park Joo-Ho played the entire 120 minute+ affair, playing well defensively -except for a glaring late 82nd minute mistake, allowing Clint Dempsey to get the drop on Park, who -in the flash of the defensive moment as Huddlestone rocket launched a cross – looked as though he had to cover 2 Spurs players to either side of him near the right post. Dempsey scurried behind Park, managed to bring down Huddlestone’s cross and fired past Park and Basel’s keeper, Jan Sommer to even the score. It would be Dempsey’s 2nd goal of the evening and brought a lifeline of hope for the Spurs and their traveling supporters who came all the way over to Basel.
Park didn’t reflect on it and got a pat of approval from Sommer a few minutes later as Park tackled away Adebayor’s attempt on goal. Spurs didn’t do themselves any favors in the 90th as Jan Vertonghen was sent off for a last man foul on Marco Streller – who had just received a brillant through pass. Nevertheless, Basel’s furious stoppage time attempts didn’t net them the game winner and they had to play another 30 minutes for extra time. As soon as the extra man advantage came FC Basel’s way, Park immediately stepped up to an advanced wing position, and got in a shot at goal – partially deflected by Dempsey acting defensively to stem Park’s shot. Park’s temporary offensive role harked back to his days in Korea where he played a more forward position in contrast to his current role as left back. With only one inerrant pass, Park actually composed himself quite adequately and linked up well with the other forward players. He got in a few nicely delivered crosses that gave his teammates a chance to get that last gasp game winner. Still, that game winning moment didn’t come until PK’s and with Adebayor’s high rising miss and Huddlestone’s blocked shot, FC Basel came out on top.
They will now face Chelsea for this upcoming semifinal clash.
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