By Pearse McLaughlin
Malaysia grab a 105th minute goal through Romel Morales to deny South Korea from topping Group E as they drew 3-3 here at the Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar. This result now means South Korea finish second and will now face Saudi Arabia in the last 16.
Jurgen Klinsmann has altered his formation slightly from the 4-4-2 that saw South Korea draw last time out away to Jordan 2-2. This time Klinsmann has gone with the 4-2-3-1 formation as he is looking to offer a bit more protection to his defence whilst also being more offensive at the same time. In terms of personnel changes there is three changes to the side as in comes Kim Tae-Hwan, Kim Young-Gwon, and Jeong Woo-Yeong to replace Jung Seung-Hyeon, Lee Ki-Jee, and Park Yong-Woo.
Kim Pan-Gon has tried to go more attacking in his tactical shape as Kim has went away from the 5-4-1 formation that his Malaysian side lost narrowly last time out away to Bahrain. This time Kim Pan-Gon has gone with the 3-4-3 formation as he looks to cause an upset and gain their first points of this Asian Cup group stage. In terms of personnel changes there is also three changes as in comes Daniel Sang Ting, Brendan Gan, and Darren Lok.
First major opportunity of the game falls the way of South Korea on the 15th minute of the game and to their master in chief Son Heung-Min. Son Heung-Min shows terrific pace, skill, and determination as he drives with the ball about 30 yards beating a couple of defenders in the process and tries to fire a strong left footed drive in at the near post but Ahmad Hazmi makes a strong one handed stop. What a save by Hazmi. Captain Son Heung-Min leading by example as he looks to put South Korea in front single handedly.
Lee Kang-In’s outswinging corner from the left hand side is met flush on the forehead by Jeong Woo-Yeong on the 21st minute and his header is saved brilliantly again by Ahmad Hazmi but the ball appears to be over the line before the save is made. After a quick VAR check by the officials the goal is given and South Korea have a 1-0 advantage thanks to Jeong Woo-Yeong’s powerful header.
A minute before the break, South Korea nearly grabbed a second goal of the game thanks to Cho Gue-Sung’s header from point blank range but for another terrific save by Ahmad Hazmi. Cho Gue-Sung did everything right as he timed his run to perfection and met Seol Young-Woo’s cross flush and powers his header down into the ground inside the six-yard-box but for Ahmad Hazmi to close his legs in time and keeps the score at 1-0. Ahmad Hazmi is single handedly keeping Malaysia in this game.
We go into the break with South Korea holding a narrow 1-0 lead over Malayasia here at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. It has been a thoroughly dominant display thus far from South Korea and will be annoyed that they aren’t further in front. South Korea haven’t cut Malaysia open at will and will be hoping that is the case in the second half and we may see a first appearance of the Asian Cup from Hwang Hee-Chan after his injury. Malaysia have defended manfully and have limited South Korea in terms of clear cut chances, not had a lot of possession (16% possession so far), and no shots on goal. Malaysia will have to venture further forward if they want to show a bit of pride and try grab something from this game or will they go out at the group stage with a whimper.
Just five minutes into the second half and Malaysia have an unlikely equalizer through Faisal Abdul Halim. Hwang In-Beom was caught in possession just outside the box before the ball fell to Faisal Abdul Halim had an effort blocked before checking back inside and sinking the ball into the bottom right corner hand corner. After a short VAR check to see if Hwang In-Beom was dispossessed legally the goal is given. An exquisite finish. South Korea 1 Malaysia 1. Game on.
Malaysia have a penalty shout just two minutes shy of the hour mark after Arif Aiman appeared to get to goal scorer Faisal Abdul Halim’s cross and Seol Young-Woo appeared to to kick through the back of him. After a couple of minutes VAR intervenes and Malaysia are awarded a penalty and a chance to take the lead. Arif Aiman the man fouled now assumes responsibility and coolly slots the ball into the bottom right hand corner sending Cho Hyun-Woo the wrong way in the process. Malaysia have turned this match on its head and lead South Korea 2-1.
It’s that combination again for Malaysia as they both combined brilliantly on the 67th minute as they nearly shock South Korea again and extend their lead. Arif Aiman collected the ball on the edge of his own box and beat three men who tried to haul him down before teeing up Faisal Abdul Halim on the edge of the box but his curling effort was a few yards wide of the right hand post. But this is a warning call for South Korea as to the danger that Malaysia possess on the counterattack.
Equalizer for South Korea on the 83rd minute and what a goal it is by star boy Lee Kang-In as he scores direct from a free kick. From about 30 yards out just right of centre and Lee Kang-In curls the ball towards the top right hand corner and Ahmad Hazmi manages to get a hand to it but can only tip it onto the crossbar and and bounces over the line. 2-2 game on.
The first minute of stoppage time and South Korea have a penalty shout as substitute Oh Hyun-Gyu appeared to be fouled inside the box by Junior Eldstal as he got on the end of a Hwang Hee-Chan cross. After a short VAR check South Korea are awarded a penalty and Son Heung-Min steps up confidently and smashes the ball into the bottom left hand corner to restore parity for South Korea. Anne emphatic finish by Son but all credit has to go to super subs Hwang Hee-Chan and Oh Hyun-Gyu in combining to win the penalty. South Korea 3 Malaysia 2.
The most of dramatic of equalizers as Malaysia score in the 15th minute of added time beyond the ninety minutes and three minutes over the allotted twelve minutes that were supposed to be. Paulo Josue fires the ball into the feet of fellow substitute Romel Morales as he got the ball out of his feet and fired it through the legs of Kim Min-Jae low and hard towards the bottom right hand corner and Cho Hyun-Woo managed to get a hand to it but it wasn’t enough as it went into the back of the net.
The game finishes all square as Malaysia grab the latest of equalizers and the match ends up three goals a piece. This result means South Korea now finish in second place behind Bahrain and they will not be playing Japan in the last 16 matchup. Instead South Korea will now face a tough match against Saudi Arabia. This was Malaysia’s first point of the group stage and they certainly saved their best performance to last as they showed South Korea how dangerous they are on the transition.
South Korea: Cho Hyun-Woo, Kim Tae-Hwan, Kim Young-Gwon, Kim Min-Jae, Seol Young-Woo (Kim Jin-Su 75'), Hwang In-Beom (Hong Hyun-Seok 62'), Lee Jae-Sung (Park Yong-Woo 90+11'), Lee Kang-In, Son Heung-Min, Jeong Woo-Yeong (Oh Hyun-Gyu 75'), Cho Gue-Sung (Hwang Hee-Chan 62'). Subs not used: Song Bum-Keun, Jung Seung-Hyeon, Kim Ji-Soo, Lee Soon-Min, Moon Seon-Min, Park Jin-Seob, Yang Hyun-Jun.
Malaysia: Ahmad Hazmi, Shahrul Saad, Dion Cools, Dominic Tan (Junior Eldstal 84'), Daniel Sang-Ting, Brendan Gan (Romel Morales 90+11'), Stuart Wilkin, La’vere Corbin-Ong, Arif Aiman (Akhyar Rashid 84'), Darren Lok (Paulo Josue 73'), Faisal Abdul Halim (Syamer Abba 84'). Subs not used: Azri Ghani, Sikh Izhan Nazrel, Ahmad Khuzaimi, Endrick, Mohamadou Sumareh, Afiq Fazail, Safawi Rasid.
Referee: Khaled Al Teris
Reporter: Pearse McLaughlin
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