Asian Cup: South Korea brush aside Iraq to enter final
Taeguk Warriors overpower the 2007 champions 2-0 in semis.
There was no repeat of Iraq’s shock win over South Korea in 2007, when they won in a dramatic penalty shoot-out. PHOTO: AFP
SYDNEY:
South Korea stormed into the Asian Cup final with a clinical 2-0 victory over Iraq yesterday, avenging a painful defeat at the same stage eight years ago.
Goals from Lee Jeong-Hyeop and Kim Young-Gwon did the job for the Koreans, who dominated a wet semi-final in Sydney to move a step closer to ending a title drought dating all the way back to 1960.
They will face hosts Australia or the UAE this weekend in their first final appearance at Asia’s showcase tournament in 27 years.
“We can’t speak about pressure anymore,” South Korea’s coach Uli Stielike told reporters. “We came to Australia as the third-ranked team in Asia and we have achieved all the goals we set. What comes now is extra. We have already taken a big step forward.”
The German insisted that South Korea’s 1-0 win over Australia in the group stage would count for little if, as he predicted, they meet the Socceroos again on Saturday.
“You know what Australia team we played that day,” he said. “[Mile] Jedinak injured, [Tim] Cahill on the bench, [Mathew] Leckie on the bench, [Robbie] Kruse on the bench. “We didn’t play the best Australia team. For me there is no doubt they will reach the final and we have to be prepared to play the best Australia team.”
South Korea simply overpowered the Iraqis with Lee climbing to glance in a free kick from Kim Jin-Su after 20 minutes.
Golden boy Son Heung-Min had already forced goalkeeper Jalal Hassan into a smart save with a long-distance rocket before Lee – a surprise Asian Cup call-up by Stielike – netted his second goal of the tournament.
Lee, who scored in the 1-0 win over Australia in the group stages, turned provider five minutes after the break, chesting down a high ball for Kim to smash home from the edge of the box.
Iraq, who prevailed 7-6 on penalties after a helter-skelter 3-3 draw in 2007, rarely threatened despite the presence of the match’s hero Younis Mahmoud.
“We knew it was going to be tough,” said Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishil. “Korea have a quality team with a lot of players in top leagues in the world. For us there were a lot of positives to take from the tournament.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2015.
South Korea stormed into the Asian Cup final with a clinical 2-0 victory over Iraq yesterday, avenging a painful defeat at the same stage eight years ago.
Goals from Lee Jeong-Hyeop and Kim Young-Gwon did the job for the Koreans, who dominated a wet semi-final in Sydney to move a step closer to ending a title drought dating all the way back to 1960.
They will face hosts Australia or the UAE this weekend in their first final appearance at Asia’s showcase tournament in 27 years.
“We can’t speak about pressure anymore,” South Korea’s coach Uli Stielike told reporters. “We came to Australia as the third-ranked team in Asia and we have achieved all the goals we set. What comes now is extra. We have already taken a big step forward.”
The German insisted that South Korea’s 1-0 win over Australia in the group stage would count for little if, as he predicted, they meet the Socceroos again on Saturday.
“You know what Australia team we played that day,” he said. “[Mile] Jedinak injured, [Tim] Cahill on the bench, [Mathew] Leckie on the bench, [Robbie] Kruse on the bench. “We didn’t play the best Australia team. For me there is no doubt they will reach the final and we have to be prepared to play the best Australia team.”
South Korea simply overpowered the Iraqis with Lee climbing to glance in a free kick from Kim Jin-Su after 20 minutes.
Golden boy Son Heung-Min had already forced goalkeeper Jalal Hassan into a smart save with a long-distance rocket before Lee – a surprise Asian Cup call-up by Stielike – netted his second goal of the tournament.
Lee, who scored in the 1-0 win over Australia in the group stages, turned provider five minutes after the break, chesting down a high ball for Kim to smash home from the edge of the box.
Iraq, who prevailed 7-6 on penalties after a helter-skelter 3-3 draw in 2007, rarely threatened despite the presence of the match’s hero Younis Mahmoud.
“We knew it was going to be tough,” said Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishil. “Korea have a quality team with a lot of players in top leagues in the world. For us there were a lot of positives to take from the tournament.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2015.