South Korea won a gruelling and fluctuating epic 4-2 duel on
penalties against Iran yesterday to set up an Asian Cup semi-final
with Iraq.
The shoot-out became the circuit-breaker after both teams had
played themselves to a standstill over the regulation 90 minutes
and 30 minutes' extra time without scoring a goal.
The Koreans held their nerve with their veteran goalkeeper Lee
Woon-jae proving the hero when he saved efforts from Mehdi
Mahdavikia and Rasoul Khatibi to great acclaim from the chanting
Korean supporters.
It was the second quarter-final at the tournament to go to a
shoot-out after Japan knocked out Australia 4-3 on penalties in
Hanoi on Saturday.
South Korean players celebrate after winning against Iran during
their 2007 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final match in Kuala Lumpur
yesterday. Reuters
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"Clearly I am very, very proud of the boys. It was very hard
against strong opposition," said Korea's Dutch coach Pim Verbeek,
who singled out their spirit for praise.
"Mentally we were very strong. I've never seen a Korea team not
play with spirit - that's why it is a pleasure for me to work with
them."
While ecstatic, Verbeek knows plenty of hard work remains with
just two days to recover from the energy-sapping match before
facing Iraq here on Wednesday.
"We have nothing with a semi-final, we must go for the final,"
he said.
It was huge relief for South Korea, who had been beaten twice in
their three previous quarter-finals with Iran at the Asian Cup.
South Korea twice won the Asian Cup in the early years of the
tournament in 1960 and 1964. Despite finals appearances in 1972,
1980 and 1988, the team has yet to add another trophy.
In the final minute of extra-time Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei
switched goalkeepers with Vahid Talebloo coming on for Rodbarian as
he planned his strategy for the penalty shoot-out.
Ultimately, it was 34-year-old Lee, who has played more than 100
times for his country and was a vital part of their run to the 2002
World Cup semi-finals, who became a national hero with his heroics
in the shootout.
Later yesterday, Saudi Arabia sneaks into the semi-finals after
beating Uzbekistan 2-1.
(China Daily via AFP July 23, 2007)
