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Korean party paints town red

"We've done it!" After 15 attempts South Korea win a World Cup finals match

BUSAN, South Korea (CNN) -- First they took the roof off the stadium, then they painted the streets red.

South Korea erupted into celebration late Tuesday after its national football team won its first ever World Cup match, defeating Poland 2-0 in Busan. (Match report)

A massive street party swallowed the city as 48,760 mostly joyous Korean fans emptied out of the Asiad Main Stadium and embraced each other, beating drums, singing and dancing the night away in scenes never before witnessed in this normally reserved country.

"We can beat Poland, we can beat Portugal. Korean team fighting!" screamed one fan using the motto of Korea's Red Devil supporter fan club. "We are the winners!"

Across the nation, it was time to rejoice.

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City streets throughout South Korea swelled as people of all ages came out to celebrate.

In the nation's capital Seoul, the central Kwanghwamun plaza was the heart of festivities and jam-packed with a raging, ecstatic crowd.

Within 30 minutes of the game finishing, tens of thousands of supporters had turned the plaza into a rocking party zone that showed no sign of ending.

Some watched the historic win on the super-sized television screens set up across the city.

The party began when forward Hwang Sun Hong scored Korea's first goal in the 26th minute, then headed towards climax when Yoo Sang Chul slotted home the second goal in the 53rd.

The Busan stadium had already been threatening to explode but as referee Oscar Ruiz blew the whistle to end the game, there was no holding back.

Korean red

The atmosphere inside the ground was simply breathtaking. The sea of fans, most of which wore the red of the Korean team, rose as one in a tidal wave of euphoria.

At the west end of the stadium where about 10,000 Red Devils had based themselves and led chants and songs all evening, massive Korean flags were released and carried over the stands, slowly circling the pitch.

Parents hugged children, strangers held strangers. Some cried with happiness, but all stood on the chairs chanting, "Daehan minkuk, Daehan minkuk (Korea, Korea)" as they applauded their heroes.

Even the small contingent of Poles admitted it was an impressive scene.

"I have never heard or seen anything like it -- I think Korea played with at least 20 men," laughed Greg Fiadorczoky.

"They'll beat everybody with that type of atmosphere. They're great fans, they were loud and they are going to beat all of us."

Fans praised

Korean coach, Guus Hiddink, thanked the fans for their support and said that the players would also allowed to appreciate their first win in five World Cup campaigns.

"First we have to rest but there is nothing against celebrating. Our victory is the first in [Korea's] football history. We'll celebrate in a normal way. Once we've done that, as soon as possible, we'll prepare for the next game," Hiddink said.

Defender Hong Myung Bo was also grateful to the fans, saying they helped make the difference.

Jubilant fans poured onto city streets across the country

"We were given vigor from the spectator's immense support," Hong said. "I won't forget their help and appreciate it so much."

Outside the ground, the fans were certainly appreciating the team's effort.

"It is a super result for Korea. Fantastic!" Cha Bum Keun, former national player and coach of Korea's 1998 World Cup team, said.

Others struggled to describe their joy, falling back to what they knew best.

"Oh pilseung Korea, oh pilseung Korea, oh pilseung Korea (victory to Korea)," they sang.

With these sorts of scenes, it would be easy to think Korea had just won the final.

Instead, it was a victory long sought after and well worth cherishing.