Al-Rayyan, Qatar: Paris Saint-Germain winger Lee Kang-in fired two goals to help South Korea overpower spirited Bahrain 3-1 in their opening match of the Asian Cup at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium yesterday.
With Tottenham Hotspur talisman Son Heung-min looking off colour, Lee stole the show scoring both his goals in the second half to give coach Jurgen Klinsmann a winning start.
The two-time champions, missing Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan in the match, took the lead in 38th minute while Abdullah Al Hashash brought Bahrain back in the match early in the second half, before Lee’s strikes in a span of 12 minutes decided the absorbing tie.
Klinsmann praised the PSG player as Taeguk Warriors secured full points in their first game, aiming to break 64-year Asian Cup title jinx in Qatar.
“If you score two in the opening game of the Asian Cup for us you deserve to be man of match and (it was) a very good performance,” Klinsmann said in a post match press conference.“It was a tricky game. That had a lot to do with the referee giving too many yellow cards early,” he said as five of his players including Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae were booked in the match.
“I think the most important thing is that we won the game and we move on again because the next game is coming really quick,” the World Cup-winning former Germany striker added.
South Korea though have dominated the match, both the sides missed several chances to score with Mohamed Marhoon giving Klinsmann’s side an early scare with a header that just flew high over the bar after Komail Al Aswad’s free kick.
Hwang In-Beom and Cho Gue-Sung strikes were also off target before South Korea took the lead through In-Beom’s left-footed hit following Lee Jae-sung’s low cross.
Six minutes after the break, Bahrain drew level when Al Hashash slammed home from the centre of the box.
South Korea restored their lead five minutes later with a perfect finish from Lee, who smashed the ball in from around 30 yards.
The 22-year-old capped the win with a clinical finish in 68th minute, curling the ball into the bottom corner after an assist from Hwang In-Beom.
“I’m learning a lot, but it’s not just about football -- I’m learning a lot off the field as well. I try to learn as much as possible and develop into a better person and a better football player,” Lee, who joined PSG from Mallorca, said after the match.
South Korea will now meet Jordan in their next Group E at Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday while Bahrain will play Malaysia at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium the same day.
Bahrain coach Juan Antonio Pizzi was disappointed with the defeat but said his team will focus on the upcoming match with an eye on Round of 16.
“We played well in the first half and created a lot of chances but failed to convert the opportunities. We still have a chance to qualify for the knockout stage. We will come well prepared for our next match.”
