By Pearse McLaughlin
South Korea leave it late as they overcome the 10 men of Australia by defeating them by two goals to one here at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. Craig Goodwin opened the scoring before Hwang Hee-Chan’s equalizer in added time forced extra time before a moment of magic and inspiration from Son Heung-Min as he scored direct from a free kick to send South Korea into the last four of the Asian Cup.
Graham Arnold has changed his shape slightly from the 4-4-1-1 formation that saw his Australia side beat Indonesia comfortably 4-0 last time out and to face South Korea he has changed his formation to the 4-3-3 formation. In terms of personnel changes Australia have made four changes as in comes Nathaniel Atkinson, Conor Metcalfe, Mitchell Duke, and Craig Goodwin to replace Gethin Jones, Jordan Bos, Riley McGree, and Bruno Fornaroli.
Jurgen Klinsmann has changed his tactical shape from the 3-4-2-1 formation that beat Saudi Arabia after 120 minutes and penalties in the last 16 and has now gone with a more attacking lineup with the 4-2-3-1 formation to try and give his side the best possible chance of winning. In terms of personnel changes South Korea have made three changes as in comes Park Yong-Woo, Hwang Hee-Chan, and Cho Gue-Sung to replace Jung Seung-Hyeon, Lee Jae-Sung, and Jeong Woo-Yeong.
On the 19th minute the first major opportunity of the game fell the way of Australia and it should been the opening goal from Conor Metcalfe but didn’t connect with the ball correctly and fluffed his lines. The opportunity cam about as Craig Goodwin managed to find a pocket of space infant of the Korean backline and had an effort on goal which Cho Hyun-Woo parried out but straight into the path of Conor Metcalfe who had an open goal to tap into but he took his eyes off the ball and miss kicked the ball and his effort went a few yards wide. Major let off for South Korea as that should have been the opening goal of the game. Absolute sitter by Conor Metcalfe and a moment he will want to forget quickly. It somehow remains 0-0.
South Korea have a goal disallowed for offside on the 31st minute as Seol Young-Woo had gone a fraction too early in the build up to Hwang Hee-Chan’s goal. It was the right decision as it was confirmed as the correct call by VAR but what a goal and move it was. The move started with Lee Kang-In who delivered an inch perfect ball in behind the Nathaniel Atkinson and Harry Souttar to pick out the run of Seol Young-Woo who fired the ball across the six yard box to Hwang Hee-Chan who slid the ball into the back of the net. It was millimetres from South Korea taking the lead but it remains all square.
It’s the breakthrough for Australia on the 42nd minute as Craig Goodwin Volleys the ball into the back of the net at the back post. It was a well worked move by Australia as they worked the ball out nicely to Nathaniel Atkinson down the right flank where he floated across to the back post to where Australia had an overload and Craig Goodwin Volleyed the ball low in to the ground level with the penalty spot leaving Cho Hyun-Woo with no chance. 1-0 Australia.
It’s Australia who have first blood in this tense and fiery Asian Cup Quarter Final tie thanks to Craig Goodwin’s strike just before half-time. It was South Korea who dominated the opening quarter of the game with creating any clear cut opportunities as Australia rode the storm and stayed in the game. The game sparked into life on the twenty minute mark as Australia should have scored the opening goal and since then Australia grew more and more into the game and it became two and fro. Ultimately Australia have the lead and Graham Arnold will be delighted with his game plan so far as they have frustrated South Korea whilst taking the lead and causing them problems on the break. Jurgen Klinsmann will not be delighted with his sides performance so far as they seem to be losing the midfield battle and have not registered a shot in the game so far and that has to change in the second half if they want to come from behind again and progress into the next round. A place in the Semi Finals is up for grabs in the second half and I expect fireworks as both teams will give their all as they look to progress into the next round. Big second half incoming.
Just three minutes into the second half Seol Young-Woo works space down the left flank well to dig a cross to the back post where Lee Kang-In collects the ball but his effort is tame and straight into the hands of Matthew Ryan. Better from South Korea as they show their intent at the start of the second half and register their first shot on target.
On the 54th minute it should have been two nil to Australia as Martin Boyle had two bites at the cherry before Mitchell Duke blazed over. What a delivery from Craig Goodwin to pick out the unmarked Martin Boyle at the back post who powered a header which Cho Hyun-Woo parried out and Boyle latched onto the rebound but Cho spreads himself well and makes a brilliant save which bounces kindly to Mitchell Duke who showed a lack of composure and volleyed over the bar from the penalty spot. Massive opportunity squandered by Australia and will it be a chance that they will live to regret? It remains 1-0.
It’s that man again Mitchell Duke and again it’s for the wrong reasons on the 84th minute as he headers wide from only a few yards. Australia managed to catch South Korea napping on the break as they worked the ball nicely down the left to Jordan Bos who’s deflected cross set up perfectly for Mitchell Duke who only had to header the ball into an empty net but somehow missed the target. Another massive chance wasted to double their lead and kill the tie. South Korea have six minutes plus stoppage time to find an equalizer and force extra time or it’s curtains.
Seven minutes have been added on at the end of the game and will it be enough time for South Korea to find yet another late equalizer? Or can Australia hang on? Only time will tell.
They’ve only gone and done it again as South Korea find yet another late equalizer through Hwang Hee-Chan’s spot kick. On The 4th minute of added time and Son Heung-Min has won a penalty kick for South Korea after he was cleaned out in the box by substitute Lewis Miller. After a very quick VAR check the officials confirmed Ahmed Abu Bakar Said Al Kaf’s decision and Son Heung-Min surprisingly passed on the responsibility to Hwang Hee-Chan who made no mistake again as he rifles the ball into the top right hand corner past the dive of Matthew Ryan. 1-1 game on.
We’re set for another enthralling half an hour of action and potentially penalties to decide the outcome of this match and decide who progresses into the semi final. Late goals in each half by both sides sees the game honours even at the moment and all to play for.
South Korea thought they took the lead for the very first time on the 5th minute of extra time but Matthew Ryan had other ideas as he made a tremendous double save first to deny Hwang Hee-Chan’s low effort before denying Lee Kang-In’s header. It was great initial play down the right by Yang Hyun-Jun who picked out Hwang Hee-Chan on the edge of the box whose low curling effort was bound for the bottom right hand corner but Matthew Ryan managed to get a hand to it but it popped up nicely to Lee Kang-In who headed the ball goal wards but Ryan got up quickly and closed the angle and made another top save. World class shot stopping by the Australia number 1. It remains 1-1.
A moment of magic on the 104th minute from the South Korean captain, Son Heung-Min as he scores direct from a free kick to put South Korea within touching distance of the semi final. Son Heung-Min curled the ball over the wall superbly and straight into the top left hand corner leaving Matthew Ryan clawing at thin air. Top drawer finish. South Korea lead 2-1.
Right on the struck of half time Australia are reduced to 10 men after Aiden O’Neill went over the ball and stamped on Hwang Hee-Chan’s ankle. A yellow card was given for the initial challenge and Ahmed Abu Bakar Said Al Kaf was asked to go and look at the monitor by the VAR officials and upon review the yellow card was then upgraded to a red card. Thankfully Hwang Hee-Chan is able to play on after receiving treatment. Massive moment in this tie as it’s advantage to South Korea as they have the lead and a man advantage.
South Korea lead 2-1 at the interval thanks to a moment of magic from Son Heung-Min as he scored directly from a free kick. There was also a moment of madness as Aiden O’Neill made an illegal challenge and saw red. It’s all to play for in the second half and I expect Australia to through caution to the wind as they search for an unlikely equalizer as they trail both in the scoreline and in personnel.
Son Heung-Min had a chance to add to his tally and extend South Korea’s lead on the 112th minute but dragged his shot wide of the left hand post. Australia where caught short at the back in a three versus two situation and Korea worked the ball over to the right where Son Heung-min isolated himself up against Lewis Miller before shifting the ball onto his right foot and dragging his shot inches wide of the left hand post. Great chance for South Korea to extend their lead but it remains 2-1.
A Minute left of Extra Time and South Korea should have made it 3-1 but for more heroics yet again from Matthew Ryan as he produced another double save. Lee Kang-In fizzed a shot from the left hand side of the box which was destined for the top right hand corner but Matthew Ryan got his weight behind the ball and palmed it out to the right where Yang Hyun-Jun picked up the scraps and curled a shot towards an open goal but somehow Ryan got back in time and clawed it away before Lewis Miller denied Lee Kang-In on the rebound.
It’s all over here at Al Janoub in Al Wakrah, Qatar as South Korea defeat the 10 men of Australia to progress to the semi finals of the Asian Cup. It took more late heroics in added time and extra time to see off Saudi Arabia and Australia. Craig Goodwin had Australia in the lead at the end of the first half but Hwang Hee-Chan’s penalty in added time rescued South Korea and forced extra time where they got themselves infront and Australia were then reduced to 10 men it was an uphill task which proved a step too far. An entertaining game that had absolutely everything with both teams leaving blood, sweat, and tears out on the pitch.
Australia: Matthew Ryan, Nathaniel Atkinson (Lewis Miller 72’), Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Aziz Behich, Conor Metcalfe (Riley McGree 69’), Keanu Baccus ( Aiden O’Neill 69’), Jackson Irvine, Martin Boyle (Cameron Burgess 87’), Mitchell Duke (Bruno Fornaroli 92’), Craig Goodwin (Jordan Bos 72’). Subs not used: Lawrence Thomas, Joe Gauci, Samuel Silvera, Kusini Yengi, Marco Tilio, John Iredale, Gethin Jones.
South Korea: Cho Hyun-Woo, Kim Tae-Hwan (Yang Hyun-Jun 85’), Kim Min-Jae, Kim Young-Gwon, Seol Young-Woo, Park Yong-Woo (Park Jin-Seob 106’), Hwang In-Beom (Hong Hyun-Seok 77’), Lee Kang-In (Jung Seung-Hyeon 120’), Son Heung-Min, Hwang Hee-Chan (Oh Hyun-Gyu 106’), Cho Gue-Sung (Lee Jae-Sung 68’). Subs not used: Song Bum-Keun, Lee Ki-Jee, Kim Jin-Su, Kim Ji-Soo, Lee Soon-Min, Jeong Woo-Yeong.
Referee: Ahmed Abu Bakar Said Al Kaf
Reporter: Pearse McLaughlin
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