HAKAN Sukur scored the fastest goal in World Cup history as Turkey finished in third place after a 3-2 victory over co-host South Korea.

Sukur, who had failed to score in Turkey's previous six matches in the tournament, netted the goal just 10.8 seconds after the kickoff.

"I didn't even sleep that well last night," Hakan Sukur said.

"My colleagues played so well today and, because they and the manager trusted in me, I thank them. I also thank the Turkish people who cheered for us."

The Koreans played the ball back to captain Hong Myung Bo, who lost possession on the edge of the area as Ilhan Mansiz challenged for the ball.

From just inside the box, Hakan Sukur fired it past goalkeeper Lee Woon Jae.

A day after being named to the FIFA World Cup All-Star squad and despite playing in his 135th match for his country, Hong was replaced at halftime.

Hakan Sukur's goal broke the 40-year-old record set by Vaclav Masek of the former Czechoslovakia.

He hit the back of the net after 15 seconds against Mexico at the 1962 World Cup in Chile.

The 30-year-old forward's historic goal was his 36th in 80 international appearances -- both Turkish national team records.

"For Turkey, we did the first for everything," Turkey coach Senol Gunes said of the record goal and the team's third-place finish.

"In this case, the fastest goal. We're very happy on doing our job properly, honorably. We came with pride and are very happy to return (home in) third."

Defeat in this match does not bode well for South Korea. In the last three tournaments, the loser of the third-place playoff has failed to qualify for the next World Cup.

England lost to Italy in 1990, Bulgaria fell to Sweden in 1994 and The Netherlands was blanked by Croatia in 1998.

All three nations did not make soccer's showcase event four years later.

"I would have liked to get third place desperately," South Korea coach Guus Hiddink said.

"We made some big mistakes in defense in the first half."

South Korea did get back into the game just eight minutes later, when Lee Eul Yong curled a 20-yard free kick into the top right corner of the net, leaving Turkish goalkeeper Rustu Recber with no chance.

But Turkey took the lead for good in the 13th minute. Yildiray Basturk, Ilhan, who started in place of injured World Cup All-Star Hasan Sas, and Hakan Sukur combined on a passing sequence which saw Ilhan slot the ball home.

Ilhan and Hakan Sukur also combined on Turkey's next goal.

Rustu's long kick sparked the opportunity. Then, Ilhan worked a give-and-go with Hakan Sukur before chipping Lee from 14 yards away to make it 3-1.

South Korea sliced its deficit to 3-2 in the third minute of injured time, when Song Chong Gug's long-range shot deflected off Cha Doo Ri and past Rustu.

Hakan Sukur nearly added another goal after 37 minutes.

But his strong header was foiled by Lee, who pulled off a great leg save. Hakan Sukur was denied again just before the interval.

Ahn Jung Hwan, the scorer of two goals in the tournament, tested Rustu twice in the first half without success.

However, throughout most of the second half when the Koreans came out more decided, Rustu maintained Turkey's two-goal advantage, making a number of quality saves of the 20 shots faced.

Turkey and South Korea suffered 1-0 defeats in their respective semifinals against Brazil and Germany to wind up in the third-place playoff.

Turkey played and defeated both host countries (Japan, 1-0) in the tournament and also lost twice to finalist Brazil (Group C, 2-1).