Son Heung-Min guided South Korea to the semi-finals of the Asian Cup after beating 10-man Australia 2-1 after extra time.
It was another late show from the Taeguk Warriors as they equalized with a 94th-minute penalty after trailing for the entire second half until Son scored an inch-perfect free-kick to punch South Korea’s ticket to the semi-finals.
Despite having plenty of the ball – and a disallowed goal in the first half – Korea failed to register a shot on target and it was Australia who looked the more threatening; they made it count in the 42nd minute when Craig Goodwin scored for his second successive game with a superb volley from Nathaniel Atkinson’s cross.
The second half saw the game follow the same pattern, with South Korea dominating possession but lacking quality passing in the final third, while Australia created several opportunities on the break.
Australia should have scored at least once as Martin Boyle and Mitch Duke missed big chances to seal the match as the half went on.
And the Socceroos would be heavily punished for their swagger as substitute Lewis Miller’s lazy challenge on Son gave Hwang Hee-Can the opportunity to convert from the spot and he did just that to send the game into extra time.
Australia crumbled in extra-time as another needless challenge from Miller allowed Son to score his breathtaking free-kick in the 104th minute, before Aiden O’Neill was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle on the studs to leave Australia with too much of a lead. a mountain to climb.
Australia head home in the quarter-finals for a second successive tournament – and third under Graham Arnold – while South Korea march into a semi-final clash against Jordan.
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