SEOUL, June 24: South Korean soccer fans flooded the streets of Seoul with tears early on Saturday after their team were eliminated from the World Cup.

Hundreds of thousands of red-clad fans had poured into the streets of the capital and other venues across the country to watch the 2002 semi-finalists play their final group match against Switzerland.

While expectations were high that the Koreans could repeat their 2002 fairytale ride to the last four, a 2-0 loss to the Swiss saw them exit the competition at the first hurdle.

Distraught fans tried to console one another through the tears.

“It's all over. We played so well. I'm crushed,” said Woo Song-min.

One male fan died while watching the game on the streets of Seoul though the cause of death had yet to be established, emergency officials said.

Concerts kept the masses entertained through the night and by the time the game started, the crowds had been whipped up into a frenzy.

The mood darkened early in the first half, however, when defender Philippe Senderos scored the first goal.—Reuters