South Korea drew 2-2 with Olympic host Greece in the opening match of the Group A tournament in the Athens Olympics.

In the game held at the Kaftanzoglio Stadium in the northern Greek port city of Thessaloniki, Wednesday evening local time, South Korea took the lead with a goal by Kim Dong-jin in the 42nd minute. The South Koreans, making their fifth consecutive Olympic appearance, saw their lead increase to 2-0 when Greek defender Loukas Vyntras swept the ball into his own goal 19 minutes into the second half.

A South Korean victory looked all but certain, but the Greek hosts rallied back to salvage a 2-2 draw, dodging a potentially disastrous opening day.

Greece, the Euro 2004 champions, began its comeback when substitute Ioannis Taralidis battled back with a goal in the 77th minute, just moments after he stepped onto the field. Dimitrios Papadopoulos nailed the equalizer on a penalty kick with just eight minutes remaining in regulation, earning Greece the draw and a point in Olympic tournament play, to the elation of the home crowd.

All four countries in Group A remain tied following the first round of action after Mexico and Mali also finished in a tie. Neither team was able to score a goal in that match.