SEOUL, June 19: Millions of South Koreans were recovering on Wednesday from a wild night of celebrations after the national team beat Italy to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time.

Two fans, healthy men in their twenties, died of heart attacks during Tuesday’s riveting match in Taejon. One collapsed when South Korea equalised two minutes from the end of regulation time, police said.

Four million people — one in 12 South Koreans — watched the showdown with Italy on giant television screens but there were few incidents in the street parties triggered by the 2-1 win.

South Korean media, full-on supporters of the only Asian team to reach the final eight after fellow hosts Japan fell to Turkey, reached deep into their store of superlatives after a dramatic golden goal clinched victory for the home side.

“Veni, vidi, vici,” read a headline from the Chosun Ilbo, “Warriors have finally crossed the Rubicon and entered Rome.”

“The players have moved a mountain,” the daily added.

“Hiddink troops have surprised the world and created new history”, said the Chosun Ilbo newspaper, praising the role of Dutch coach Guus Hiddink who is close to being a national hero.

“South Koreans have waited 40 years for their chance to emulate the North,” said the Korean Times newspaper.

North Korea scored a shock 1-0 World Cup defeat of Italy in 1966. Fans in the Taejon stadium on Tuesday flipped thousands of red and white cards which read “Again 1966”.

In Tuesday’s second round match, striker Ahn Jung-hwan was the most relieved man in the stadium after missing a penalty before grabbing the winner in extra time.

“The God of soccer has provided a last chance for Ahn Jung-hwan,” said the Chosun Ilbo Daily.After scoring, Ahn kissed his wedding ring in his usual goal celebration and lay down on the pitch in tears.

Ahn’s penalty miss was the second of the finals for South Korea after Lee Eul-yong failed to score from the spot in a 1-1 draw with the United States.

Seol Ki-hyeon had equalised against Italy two minutes from the end of the first 90 minutes and he took all the plaudits - the media nicknamed the striker “Seolvaldo”, combining his name with Brazilian star Rivaldo.—Reuters