By Pearse McLaughlin
South Korea rescued a point against Jordan with an own goal by Yazan Abu Al-Arab as they drew 2-2. It’s as you were in Group E as the top two shared the spoils and are both on four points after the opening two matches.
On the 4th minute Ehsan Haddad makes a reckless challenge from behind on South Korea and Spurs captain, Son Heung-Min in what appears to be a clear foul but after a 4 minute VAR check by the officials a penalty is awarded. Son assumes responsibility from the spot and makes no mistake as he coolly panenkas the ball straight down the middle and was relieved to see Yazeed Yazeed Abulaila jump to his left. Cool as you like from Son Heung-Min as he breaks the deadlock and opens his account for the tournament. 1-0 South Korea.
South Korea should have doubled their lead on the 20th minute but through poor decision in the final third. Lee Kang-In shows tremendous skill and vision to cut in from the right wing and switch the play across to Lee Jae-Sung who finds himself free in the box and should shoot but decides to be unselfish and squares it to Son Heung-Min who fires towards goal but is blocked brilliantly by Yazun Abu Al-Arab. Poor decision making by Lee Jae-Sung as it was a fantastic opportunity to go 2-0 up. Superb defending from Yazun Abu Al-Arab as the score line remains 1-0 to South Korea.
A mere 60 seconds later Musa Al-Taamari tries a snap shot at the angle of the box following a throw in from the right hand side deep in South Korea territory and forces a brilliant save from Cho Hyun-Woo. Better play from the home side as they force the first meaningful save of the game from Cho Hyun-Woo.
An unfortunate own goal by Park Yong-Woo on the 37th minute sees Jordan equalize. It was an inch perfect ball into the box by Mahmoud Al Mardi from the inswinging corner from the left hand side which Yazan Abu Al-Arab attacked and put pressure on Park Yong-Woo who unfortunately bulleted a header past Cho Hyun-Woo. Jordan 1 South Korea 1. Game on.
Jordan take the lead in the 6th minute of added time at the end of the first half through a wonder strike by Yazan Al-Naimat. Musa Al-Taamari shot was blocked by Jung Seung-Hyeon and fell kindly to Yazan Al-Naimat who strike the ball first time on the half volley and smashed into the ground as it bounced into the bottom left hand corner. Jordan takes a shock 2-1 lead against one of the tournament favourites in South Korea.
Into the 10th minute of added time at the end of the first half and a glorious opportunity presented it self to Cho Gue-Sung who fluffed his lines. Lee Ki-Jee had a strike on goal at the edge of the box which Yazeed Yazeed Abulaila failed to deal with and parried it out only for it to fall to the unmarked Cho Gue-Sung who smashed the ball into the ground first and put it well wide. Absolute sitter. Cho had far more time than he realized and showed no composure as he rushed his effort.
That proved to be the last action of the half and Jordan lead South Korea 2-1. South Korea started brightly and got their early goal through a penalty expertly dispatched by Son Heung-Min but an own goal by Park Yong-Woo and a wonder strike by Nazan Al-Naimat have Jordan in control at the break. Jordan deserves their half time lead, created good chances, and kept possession of the ball better. South Korea whilst not at their best created to guilt edge chances that they didn’t take and will need to be more clinical in the second half if they are to avoid defeat here. It’s set for an exciting second half as the first was action packed to say the least.
Best chance of the second half so far comes on the 82nd minute as Lee Kang-In nearly equalizes for South Korea. Jordan managed to clear the ball out of the crowded penalty area but it landed on the chest of Lee Kang-In who volleyed the ball towards goal it did go quite central but the ball moved awkwardly in the air with it causing difficulties for Yazeed Yazeed Abulaila. South Korea are really pushing for that equalizer but Jordan so far are standing firm. It remains 2-1.
Equalizer for South Korea in the first minute of added on time at the end of the game. It was great run down the right by Kim Tae-Hwan who flashed a dangerous ball across the box which no one connected with but Son Heung-Min collected the ball at the far post and picked out Hwang In-Beom in space and his shot was deflected by Yazan Abu Al-Arab over Yazeed Yazeed Abulaila. It has been accredited as an own goal by Yazan Abu Al-Arab. 2-2 game on. 10 minutes for South Korea to now push for that all important winner.
Some section of the South Korean supporters thought they had taken the lead in the 9th minute of stoppage time through Hong Hyun-Seok’s sliding effort towards goal but it somehow went the wrong side of the post. Lee Kang-In’s free kick caused a scramble in the box as Park Jin-Seob headed towards goal but the keeper parried it straight back to him and he picked out Hong Hyun-Seok at the back post but failed to make the most of his golden opportunity and slid the ball into the side netting from a few yards out. Absolute sitter. South Korea should have taken the lead there but it some how remains all square.
It’s all over here at the Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar as Jordan and South Korea share the spoils in what was an evenly fought contest. Although South Korea will be kicking themselves having missed three glorious opportunities in the match and on another day it could have been a resounding victory. Jordan caused South Korea all sorts of problems especially in the first half and tried to protect their slim advantage in the second half but couldn’t hold on in the end. I think a draw is a fair result and both sides now have 4 points a piece after the opening two matches in this AFC Asian Cup Group E.
Jordan: Yazeed Yazeed Abulaila, Abdallah Nasib, Yazan Abu Al-Arab, Salem Al Ajalin, Ehsan Haddad, Nizar Al Rashdan (Ibrahim Sami 84'), Rajaei Ayed (Fadi Awad 74'), Mahmoud Al Mardi (Mohammad Hasheesh 74'), Musa Al-Taamari, Ali Iyad Olwan, Yazan Al-Naimat (Anas Hamad 84'). Subs not used: Abdullah Al Fakhouri, Ahmad Al Juaidi, Bara Marie, Feras Shelbaieh, Anas Bani Yaseen, Saleh Rateb, Yousef Abu Jalboush, Hamza Al Dardour.
South Korea: Cho Hyun-Woo, Seol Young-Woo, Jung Seung-Hyeon, Kim Min-Jae, Lee Ki-Jee Kim Tae-Hwan 46'), Lee Kang-In, Park Yong-Woo (Hong Hyun-Seok 46'), Hwang In-Beom (Park Jin-Seob 90+4'), Lee Jae-Sung (Jeong Woo-Yeong 69'), Son Heung-Min, Cho Gue-Sung (Oh Hyun-Gyu 69'). Subs not used: Song Bum-Keun, Kim Young-Gwon, Kim Ju-Sung, Kim Ji-Soo, Lee Soon-Min, Moon Seon-Min, Yang Hyun-Jun.
Referee: Salman Ahmad Falahi
Reporter: Pearse McLaughlin
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