ABU DHABI: Title-chasing South Korea dodged a bullet to reach the Asian Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday, while Qatar toppled Iraq 1-0 in a full-blooded Gulf clash.
The Koreans were taken to extra time by tiny Bahrain in Dubai where a thumping header from substitute Kim Jin-su earned them a 2-1 win and dragged the tournament co-favourites through to face Qatar – the team local fans love to hate.
“It was a tough game,” said South Korea captain Son Heung-min after the Taeguk Warriors reached the quarter-finals for the seventh straight time.
” I’m a bit unhappy with our performance – I think we’re better than that. “
“It’s all about attitude as well, and I’m a bit unhappy with our performance – I think we’re better than that.”
South Korea’s quest to end 59 years of Asian Cup hurt looked to be safely on track when Hwang Hee-chan pounced on a loose ball to lash home two minutes before half-time.
Mohamed Al Romaihi equalised with a poacher’s strike 13 minutes from time to send a shiver through a Korean side under enormous pressure to improve on their runners-up finish in 2015.
But normal service was resumed in extra time when right-back Lee Yong’s pinpoint cross invited Kim to come steaming in at the back post to score with an unstoppable header.
Korean talisman Son and Ji Dong-won lifted up Ki Sung-yueng’s shirt in tribute to their team mate, whose Asian Cup was ended by a hamstring injury sustained during the group stage.
“We made a lot of simple mistakes,” admitted South Korea coach Paulo Bento.
“When we lose the ball easily without any pressure from the opponent, of course the game becomes harder.”
Meanwhile, Bahrain coach Miroslav Soukup praised his team of part-timers, who reached the knockout stage for only the second time.
“Eighty percent of my team are amateurs,” said the Czech. “They go to work in the morning and in the afternoon they’re training. They’ve done a great job.”
Qatar were once again subjected to a torrent of abuse from fans over the long-running Gulf blockade of the oil-rich country. – AFP
