S Korea sink Uzbeks to come third

DOHA: South Korea bowed out of the Asian Cup in style by edging Uzbekistan 3-2 in an entertaining third-place play-off to secure an automatic place at the 2015 tournament in Australia. Cho Kwang-Rae’s men looked on course for a handsome victory at 3-0 up in the first-half, but Uzbekistan clawed back the deficit to salvage some pride after their 6-0 drubbing by Australia in the semi-finals.

Koo Ja-Cheol’s fifth goal of the competition, making him outright top-scorer, broke the deadlock in the 17th minute and set South Korea on their way after calmly beating Uzbek goal-keeper Ignatiy Nesterov after Lee Yong-Rae had launched a barrelling one-man counter-attack from deep inside the Korean half. After, Ji Dong-Won claimed a brace with a pair of artfully constructed strikes.

Goals either side of half-time from Alexander Geynrikh brought the Uzbeks back into the game. But Korea held on to claim third place.

Captain Park Ji-Sung was left out of the Korea squad, raising the possibility that he has played his last game for his country as he is expected to announce his international retirement after the tournament.

Showdown

Australia and Japan go head-to-head for the tournament’s title today in a showpiece match for the highest-ranked Asian teams in the world. Japan have won the tournament three times, while the Socceroos are in their first final.

Japan, though, have a young and inexperienced team in Doha, while the Socceroos boast an ageing squad, making for an intriguing clash. Neither side have been beaten and both have scored 13 goals.

Australia coach Holger Osieck remains quietly confident his side can win their first major trophy. “I promised you we would be here,” said Osieck. “Experience is always good so Japan definitely have a strong team. They have a new generation coming up, a lot of new talent and they are technically very good. I expect a very interesting game.”

Meanwhile, Japan’s Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni said he was happy with how his side had equipped themselves so far. “The togetherness and spirit is fantastic in this team,” said Zaccheroni. “I’m very satisfied to have made the final and I like the way we got here.”

Japan go into the game without star forward Shinji Kagawa, who broke a bone in his foot in their win over South Korea.

Honda, Park shortlisted

Japanese play-maker Keisuke Honda and South Korea captain Park Ji-Sung head a four-man shortlist for the Most Valuable Player award at the Asian Cup. Australia goal-keeper Mark Schwarzer, who will become his country’s most capped player in today’s final against Japan, and Uzbekistan captain Server Djeparov complete the list. The winner of the award will be announced after the final on Saturday.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th,  2011.