ABU DHABI (AFP) - An effervescent Son Heung-min inspired title-chasing South Korea to a comfortable 2-0 victory over China on Wednesday (Jan 16) to finish top of their Asian Cup group.
Iran, joint favourites with the Koreans, also advanced as group winners despite being held to a goalless draw by bitter rivals Iraq, while Kyrgyzstan squeaked through on their tournament debut.
Hwang Ui-jo and Kim Min-jae were on target as South Korea, boosted by the arrival of their talisman, ran China ragged in Abu Dhabi.
Son won the penalty converted by Hwang and fizzed in the assist for Kim to help South Korea finish top of Group C with a perfect nine points as they look to end 59 years of Asian Cup hurt.
"Of course I'm a bit tired - I didn't expect to play for so long," Korean captain Son told AFP after completing 87 minutes despite a punishing run of 13 games for Tottenham since the start of December.
"But it's an honour to wear this red shirt and play for the national team. My first game of the tournament, clean sheet, 2-0 - it's a happy afternoon!"
Marcello Lippi's China finished as group runners-up having likewise already sealed their place in the last 16 by winning their first two matches.
Spurs forward Son, who played in the London club's 1-0 defeat by Manchester United three days ago, showed quick feet to tempt China defender Shi Ke into a rash lunge after 12 minutes.
Hwang calmly tucked away the spot-kick to send thousands of Korean 'Red Devils' fans wild at the compact Al Nahyan Stadium.
South Korea, who beat Asian Cup first-timers Philippines and Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in their opening two games, went for the jugular.
A Hwang Hee-chan rocket forced China goalkeeper Yan Junling into a fingertip save before Hwang Ui-jo curled an effort against the post.
The Koreans doubled their lead six minutes after the break when Son's corner was met by Kim's thumping header.
Son went down clutching his ankle after a meaty challenge from China's tattooed defender Zhang Linpeng late on.
But the 26-year-old appeared to suffer no lasting damage and was given a rousing reception when he trotted off three minutes from time.
TITLE DROUGHT
South Korea, who famously reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2002, have failed to win Asian football's most coveted prize since winning back-to-back titles in 1956 and 1960.
But the addition of the mercurial Son has clearly energised the 2015 runners-up, who suddenly look a very different proposition.
"We are very satisfied with the effort that Son made," said South Korea coach Paulo Bento, who is yet to learn the identity of his team's last-16 opponents.
"What's important in this moment is to enjoy this result and then go again."
China, Asian Cup finalists in 1984 and 2004, began the competition by edging Kyrgyzstan 2-1 and overpowering the Philippines 3-0.
But they were no match for South Korea and were lucky not to concede further goals in a lop-sided game.
"Let's be honest, the Korean team is much stronger than us - they're faster, technically superior and play with greater intensity," shrugged Lippi, whose side face Thailand in the last 16.
"They are one of the favourites to win the tournament - we have to accept that and focus on our next challenge."
Iran, themselves looking to end a 43-year title drought, fired blanks in Dubai but still topped Group D on goal difference from Iraq after thrashing Yemen 5-0 and beating Vietnam 2-0.
Elsewhere, a Vitalij Lux hat-trick sent Sven-Goran Eriksson's Philippines crashing out and Kyrgyzstan through from Group C as one of the best third-placed teams after a 3-1 victory.
The Filipino "street dogs" grabbed a late consolation through Stephan Schrock - their first-ever Asian Cup goal and one celebrated with gusto by their noisy fans.
Vietnam eased past war-torn Yemen 2-0 for their first points after a brilliant Nguyen Quang Hai free-kick and a penalty from Que Ngoc Hai.
Stubborn Sarri unruffled as Blues flop again. Midfielder Ander Herrera heading past Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to score Manchester United's opening goal in their 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round
Hudson-Odoi finally stretches his legs as glum Sarri takes
Get ready to swipe that credit card! Chelsea Houska FINALLY revealed some of her beauty products that she uses. Over the years, the Teen Mom 2 star has become a beauty icon on MTV thanks to all
Callum Hudson-Odoi: Chelsea 'confident' teen sensation will
BURNLEY: Sergio Aguero's 20th Premier League goal of the season left Manchester City just two wins from the title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday.
Aguero inches Man City closer to title | eNCA
Everton avoided a third consecutive Premier League home defeat as Kurt Zouma's header and a late goal by Dominic Calvert-Lewin earned them a flattering 2-0 victory over Bournemouth at a rainy Goodison Park on Sunday.
Soccer-Everton ride luck for 2-0 victory at home to
Socceroos will bounce back, declares Arnold the Socceroos most certainly have Palestine covered. But the same was true last week in Al Ain, when a ferocious and focused Jordanian outfit pulled
Socceroos beat Palestine, live to fight another day at Asian Cup
(Reuters) - France coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday that Olympique Lyonnais left back Ferland Mendy will join Real Madrid. Spanish media reports said Real had agreed a fee of 55 million euros
Soccer: Ferland Mendy set for Real move, says France coach
SEVILLE • While other teams "have decisive players, we have the best in the world". Lionel Messi left the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan pitch with the praise of Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde ringing in his ears after notching his 50th career hat-trick to give the Catalan giants a commanding lead at the top of LaLiga.
Messi nets his 50th career hat trick !!! : soccer - reddit.com
The caretaker manager blamed a first domestic defeat in 13 league matches on missed chances and exonerated David de Gea from fault when the keeper was beaten by Granit Xhaka for the opening goal.
Rassie Erasmus happy with Bok win but rues missed chances
The victory saw Madrid climb to third place on 36 points, three ahead of Sevilla who have failed to win in their last four league outings, while Barcelona, who host Leganes on Sunday, are top with 43.
Madrid climb to third with vital win over Sevilla - Reuters
Pochettino 'happy' there's less focus on Spurs, Football News
Football: Tottenham take revenge on Arsenal to reach League Cup semis Tottenham's Dele Alli (left) and Son Heung-Min celebrate after the final whistle. PHOTO: AFP
Football News:Tottenham Take Revenge on Arsenal to Reach
Report Ad
Check Out Solskjaer on eBay. Fill Your Cart With Color Today!
Jun 01, 2019 · Mohamed Salah's early penalty and Divock Origi's late strike gave Liverpool a 2-0 win over Tottenham in the Champions League final right arm to give away the penalty. It gave Salah the
Soccer-Salah, Origi strike to give Liverpool Champions League
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to keep Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford, saying the pair are vital to his plans of building a team "worthy of the
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer urges 'vital' Paul Pogba and Marcus
Chelsea beat Slavia Prague to reach Europa League semi-finals
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar