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.
Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has said he plans to offer Lionel Messi a new contract in the hope the Argentinian will stay at the club his whole career. Messi We want Messi to always be
We want Lionel Messi to always be at Camp Nou: Barcelona
Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro (L) fouls Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) semi-final second leg football match between Real
Barca beat Real Madrid to reach Copa del Rey final - newsd.in
LONDON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - AFC Wimbledon delivered an FA Cup fourth-round shock as the League One strugglers humbled Premier League West Ham United 4-2 in a gripping tie in south-west London on
Football: AFC Wimbledon humble West Ham in FA Cup shock
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for his behaviour at the end of the 2-1 defeat at Burnley. The Argentine angrily confronted
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino charged with improper
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, who has now scored nine times in his past eight appearances against Burnley, struck in the 63rd minute, with a shot that only just […]
Aguero inches City closer to title - Newspaper - DAWN.COM
Spurs blasted for lacking hunger, mental strength, Football
Media caption The voice message Emiliano Sala sent on missing plane. The search for a Premier League footballer and a pilot whose plane vanished over the English Channel has resumed. Cardiff City's Argentine striker Emiliano Sala, 28, and pilot David Ibbotson were on the aircraft that disappeared from radar on Monday.
Rescuers ′fear the worst′ in search for footballer Emiliano
Romelu Lukaku scored twice to make light work of Manchester United's injury crisis with a comfortable Premier League victory over Crystal Palace. Lukaku double inspires Man United to 3-1 win
Football news - Romelu Lukaku double seals Manchester United
Football: Man City end Newport's Cup dream to reach quarter-finals 2 min 4 months ago REUTERS: Manchester City endured some anxious moments but escaped from fourth-tier Newport County with their FA Cup hopes intact as Phil Foden scored twice in an ultimately comfortable 4-1 fifth-round victory on Saturday.
FA Cup: Man City end Newport's Cup dream to reach quarter
Jurgen Klopp celebrates with his players after the win over Barcelona Klopp told a press conference: "It would be a big football moment for us. Nothing has changed for us, we knew it before. "The only thing we can do is win. (Wolves manager) Nuno (Espirito Santo) is doing an incredible job there."
Black Ops 4 Zombies BLIND - Insane Pack-a-Punch & Thors
Newcastle took a huge step towards securing their Premier League survival as Ayoze Perez sealed a 1-0 win against Leicester on Friday. Rafael Benitez's side moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone thanks to Perez's first half header at the King Power Stadium. Newcastle's first away league win
Ayoze Perez heads Newcastle closer to safety in EPL
Football: Chelsea's success next season hinges on transfer ban being lifted, says former striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink SINGAPORE - Maurizio Sarri should be given more time as Chelsea manager, but the club's success next season will also depend greatly on whether it succeeds in getting a transfer ban lifted.
Football: Sarri fears Chelsea ban will ruin title hopes
0 comments:
Post a Comment