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POHANG, South Korea - Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, challenged Republic of Korea Marines to a friendly game of soccer at Pohang, Korea, March 19.
The game was an opportunity for the U.S. and ROK Marines to build bonds and strengthen relationships while on the soccer field, said Lynetta Hickman, with Marine Air Control Squadron 4, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st MAW.
“I coordinated with the chaplain to set up a game with one of the ROK Marine units,” said Julio Bernal, with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st MAW. “The turnout was more then I expected, and I was surprised by how many Marines wanted to play soccer.”
The two teams played two 45-minute periods with a 15-minute halftime.
The game got off to a slow start as the U.S. and ROK Marines got a feel for each other’s skill on the soccer field.
“The U.S. Marines brought us a challenge and were well organized,” said Hyung Joo Lee, with the Defense Security Command, 1st Korean Marine Division. “We think they were even tactically organized since they knew they were going against us.”
The teams traded possession of the ball throughout the first half of the game as each team determined the other’s strengths and weaknesses.
“We didn’t have any special strategy against the ROK Marines, just to get them out of their rhythm and get us into our own rhythm of playing,” said Bernal.
According to Lee, the ROK Marines didn’t have special tactics planned out beforehand.
“This is our first time playing against another unit, and we are glad we had a chance to play against the U.S. Marines,” said Lee.
The two teams, warmed up by the first half, played more aggressively during the second half.
Finally, a victor emerged - the ROK Marines with a score of 5-3.
After the game, U.S. and ROK Marines shook each other’s hands and thanked one another for a great game.
“This was a really good way to build a … closer relationship with each other,” said Lee. “I want to play more sports with the U.S. Marines and coordinate with other units as well.”
Everyone was a winner because of the positive interaction they had with each other and the good time they had playing a friendly game of soccer, according to Bernal.
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.01.2011 02:41 |
| Story ID: | 68076 |
| Location: | POHANG, GYEONGSANGNAMDO [KYONGSANGNAM-DO], KR |
| Web Views: | 51 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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