South Korea prevail in thriller

Doha, Qatar: South Korea knocked Saudi Arabia out of the Asian Cup, clinching a 4-2 victory in the penalty shootout after a pulsating 1-1 draw to move into the quarter-finals at Education City Stadium.

The much-hyped clash more befitting a final lived up to the top billing as substitute Cho Gue-Sung brought South Korea back in 99th minute of the match to take the nail-biter into extra-time, after Saudi Arabia’s second-half substitute Abdullah Radif took just 33 seconds to fire the Green Falcons ahead.

South Korea's forward Cho Gue-sung celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the match between Saudi Arabia and South Korea at Education City Stadium. Photo by Hector Retamal / AFP

South Korea goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-Woo rose to the occasion in penalties, blocking Abdulrahman Ghareeb and Sami Al Naji’s attempts as South Koreans were clinical in their spot kicks with captain Son Heung-Min, Kim Young-Gwon, Gue-Sung and Hwang Hee-Chan all beating Saudi Arabia’s goalkeeper Ahmed Al Kassar, who otherwise had a fabulous game last night.

"The coach told us to believe in the team and I think that's what really paid off," said the South Korean goalkeeper.

"We gave everything on the pitch, and when it came to a shootout I had confidence I could make saves."

South Korea's goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo celebrates after saving a shot.

Roberto Mancini’s Saudi Arabia, who were in quest for a record-equalling fourth crown, looked a better side for most part of the match as South Korea, led by Jurgen Klinsmann saved their best for the last bouncing back from the dead.

It was heartbreak for the Saudi Arabia fans, who poured the stands with national flags and created a cauldron-like atmosphere at the venue filled with over 42000 spectators.

But Klinsmann was delighted to clear a tough challenge as the two-time champions stayed in contention for their first title in 64 years with Australia next in Friday’s quarter-finals.

Saudi Arabia players and officials look dejected after the defeat.

"We had belief that if we didn't concede a goal we would score, because we have quality attacking players. All matches are 50-50 and Australia match will be no different," the German legend said.

It was a cagey start to the clash as Saudi Arabia, backed by their dominant fans, took a slight edge against South Korea.

In their first attempt, Abdullah Al Khaibari shot from nearly 30 yards but he was way off the target in 13th minute before Tottenham Hotspur star Son saw his first attempted blocked by Al Kassar.

The captain after a pass from Kim Tae-Hwan again slotted the ball right in Al Kassar’s hands as both teams accelerated their efforts before the half-hour mark.

South Korea's midfielder #10 Lee Jae-sung fights for the ball with Saudi Arabia's forward #11 Saleh al-Shehri. Photo by Hector Retamal / AFP​​​​​​​

Saleh Al Shehri got the opportunity to take lead for Saudi Arabia, who had almost opened the scoring following a set-piece situation four minutes before half-time.

The Taegeuk Warriors were lucky not to concede a goal as Ali Lajami and Saleh Al Shehri’s headers from a corner kick hit the bar before Salem Al Dawsari’s header was cleared by a defender following a corner kick.

But shortly after the break, Radif, who replaced Al Shehri in half-time, made an instant impact slipping through the defence after picking a first-touch pass from Al Dawsari, slotting home in the far right corner with goalkeeper Hyeon-Woo out of reach.

The Al Shabab forward had another attempt off Al Dawsari’s assist but his angular shot from the edge of the box in 68th minute just missed the target as South Korea struggled to find spaces through the stiff Saudi defence.

Saudi Arabia's forward #20 Abdullah Radif fights for the ball with South Korea's defender #04 Kim Min-jae. Photo by Hector Retamal / AFP

Kim Min-Jae had an attempt eight minutes before time but his header following a corner was a bit high before Klinsmann’s side launched barrage of attacks with five minutes left as Son, Seol Young-Woo and Hwang In-Beom all having their attempts brilliantly blocked by the Saudi goalkeeper.

After Gue-Sung’s header in third minute of the allocated 10 minutes of injury-time hit the bar, South Korea finally equalised six minutes later with the 64th minute substitute heading home from the six yard box off Hee-Chan’s cross taking the match into extra time.

South Korea returned with similar style and Kim Min-Jae’s threatening header from a corner kick by Lee Kang-In was punched away by Al Kassar to keep the scores intact.

South Korea's midfielder #11 Hwang Hee-chan celebrates after scoring the winning penalty goal during match between Saudi Arabia and South Korea at Education City Stadium. Photo by Hector Retamal / AFP

The Saudi goalkeeper remained a busy man in second half of extra-time thwarting further efforts by Gue-Sung and Son with incredible saves before Radif gave South Korea a scare deep into stoppage time with an a attempt, saved by the goalkeeper.

While South Korea were perfect in the penalties, Saudi Arabia could only struck through Mohamed Kanno and Saud Abdulhamid before Klinsmann’s side celebrated a memorable victory - their first against the Green Falcons in the Asian Cup after one defeat and three draws.

Saudi Arabia's defender #17 Hassan al-Tambakti and his teammate goalkeeper #22 Ahmed al-Kassar look at the ball during the match between Saudi Arabia and South Korea at Education City Stadium. Photo by Hector Retamal / AFP

Mancini, who walked towards the tunnel before Hwang took the final penalty later apologised, saying "I thought it was finished".

"In football you can lose, you can win. We were playing against a very strong team and we played very well. We lost on a penalty shootout. Penalties are a lottery," said the coach, who guided Italy to Euro 2020 title.