In the thrilling quarterfinal match of the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup held in Qatar on Friday, Captain Son Heung-min showcased his prowess with a crucial free-kick goal in extra time, propelling South Korea to a 2-1 victory over a 10-man Australia. The intense clash at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, south of Doha, saw Hwang Hee-chan scoring a last-minute equalizer from a penalty drawn by Son, setting the stage for the captain’s heroics in the 104th minute.
This significant win places South Korea within striking distance of breaking their 64-year title drought in the premier continental tournament. Their next challenge awaits in the form of a semifinal clash against Jordan, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, west of the Qatari capital.
Recalling their earlier encounter in Group E, South Korea and Jordan played to a 2-2 draw on January 20, with Jordan’s Yazan Al-Arab being charged with a stoppage-time own goal. The current journey marks redemption for South Korea after their defeat to Australia in the 2015 Asian Cup final.
Guided by coach Jurgen Klinsmann, South Korea is aiming to secure their first AFC title since 1960. The team has endured consecutive matches lasting 120 minutes, having previously advanced from the round of 16 by overcoming Saudi Arabia through extra time and a penalty shootout.
Reflecting on the intense encounter, Klinsmann expressed satisfaction, stating, “It was another drama. We’re extremely happy and thrilled to go through.” He acknowledged the team’s resilience in a hard-fought battle against Australia, emphasizing the pride he feels for the team’s spirit.
Graham Arnold, Australia’s coach, described the loss as “quite devastating, quite emotional” for his side. Despite a strong performance in the first 90 minutes, Arnold lamented missed chances that could have secured victory for Australia.
The match unfolded with South Korea initially controlling possession, but Australia mounted a comeback with close chances by Connor Metcalfe. Australia took the lead in the 42nd minute when Craig Goodwin capitalized on a defensive lapse by South Korea.
South Korea’s efforts were hampered by an offside ruling, disallowing a goal in the 31st minute. The Semi-Automated Offside Technology determined a slight offside position in the build-up to what could have been their opening goal.
Australia held a 6-0 advantage in shot attempts during the first half, showcasing their offensive prowess. South Korea, determined to equalize, registered their first shot on target in the 49th minute through Lee Kang-in.
Both teams had opportunities in the second half, with Australia’s Mitch Duke squandering chances to secure victory. However, South Korea staged a dramatic comeback in stoppage time, with Hwang Hee-chan converting a penalty drawn by Son, leveling the score at 1-1.
The momentum continued into extra time, with Son Heung-min stepping up in the 104th minute to score a sublime free-kick goal, securing a 2-1 lead for South Korea. Australia faced additional challenges as Aiden O’Neill received a straight red card in the late moments of the first extra period.
Despite a late setback for South Korea, with Kim Min-jae receiving his second yellow card of the tournament, the team managed to secure a narrow victory. The upcoming semifinal against Jordan promises another intense battle as South Korea aims to edge closer to the coveted AFC title.
