The 29-year-old Yugoslav has been one of the most feared strikers in Korean football since his arrival in 1995, but even by his standards, Sunday's feat was something new.

'It's the first time I've ever got five in my professional career, ' he told Reuters on Monday. 'I've scored four, in Korea and also in Yugoslavia, but never five.'

The lofty centre-forward's tally included two with his head as well as two with his right foot and one with his left.

By contrast, South Korea's last soccer match was a goalless draw last week against Tunisia, part of a pre-World Cup circuit of games. South Korea are co-hosting the June finals with Japan.

The pick of the bunch for Drakulic was number four, early in the second half, when a first-time long-range chip left Bucheon goalkeeper Choi Hyun stranded on the edge of the area.

'During the game, I always try to be aware of where the goalkeeper is,' Drakulic said. 'And in training, I often shoot from the middle of the field, so it is something I practise.'

At one time on the books of Red Star Belgrade, Drakulic came to South Korea on the advice of Yugoslav football veteran Dragan Dzajic.

In seven years, he has won the league four times with three different clubs and was the K-League's top scorer in 1999 with Suwon Blue Wings.

A $1.3 million signing fee brought the out-of-contract player to Songnam at the beginning of last season, and despite an injury-disrupted season, he scored several crucial goals in the closing stages as Chunma took the title.