Korea Republic men’s national claimed a hard-fought draw with Jordan thanks to a dramatic equaliser in the closing minutes.
 

Jurgen Klinsmann’s side drew 2-2 with Jordan at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha in their second Group E match of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Son Heungmin put his side ahead with a well taken penalty after nine minutes, before the Jordanians fought back with two goals on the stroke of half time. But the Taegeuk Warriors drew level through an own goal from the opposition in the second-half added time.

With four points from two game, Korea Republic remained in second place behind Jordan on goal difference, with the showdown with Kim Pangon’s Malaysia coming on Thursday. The 24 participating teams in the Asian Cup are divided into six groups of four team, with top two sides from each group, as well as four third-placed teams with best results, reaching the knockout phase of 16 teams.
 

Korea Republic took the deserved lead after nine minutes. Son Heungmin was brought down on the centre of the area by Ehsan Haddad, whilst receiving a through ball from Hwang Inbeom. The referee initially ordered to play on, but after a lengthy VAR review the penalty was awarded to the Korea Republic captain, who calmly converted it in Panenka style.


 

Son could have doubled his side’s advantage midway through the first half. Lee Jaesung sent a low cross from the left into the path of the famous No7, whose effort ricocheted off a defender and went wide. But it was the Jordanians that took control afterwards, and restored parity through an own goal by Park Yongwoo on 37 minutes.
 

Korea Republic fell behind on the stroke of half time, when Yazan Al Naimat latched onto a loose ball with a sublime effort into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. At the opposite end, Lee Kije forced Yazeed Abulaila into a fine save before Cho Guesung miscued his shot from the rebound.
 

Klinsmann responded with a double substitution during the interval, with Kim Taehwan and Hong Hyunseok coming off the bench to replace Lee Kije and Park Yongwoo respectively. Right back Seol Youngwoo moved into the opposite flank to fill in Lee’s position, as Kim Taehwan operated on the right flank. Creative midfielder Hong brought more attacking options after replacing defensive midfielder Park Yongwoo.
 

Korea Republic took complete control in the second half, although they still struggled to find a breakthrough against the Jordanian rearguard. Hong put Cho Guesung through on goal with only the keeper to beat, but the latter could only fire his shot well over the crossbar. Klinsmann was desperate to turn the tide, bringing Oh Hyeongyu and Jeong Wooyeong on for Cho Guesung and Lee Jaesung respectively.
 

However, the eagerly awaited equaliser did not arrive in the closing stages with Lee Kangin’s effort denied by the keeper with eight minutes remaining. As the frustration was palpable on the faces of the players, no less than 11 minutes of added time was given after 90 minutes.
 

The equaliser came in the most dramatic fashion. Son Heungmin broke through the left side of the box before laying the ball over to Hwang Inbeom, whose low effort went in off Yazan Al Arab. The men in red went all out in search of a last-gasp winner, but ultimately had to settle for a draw.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023

Group E

Korea Republic 2-2 Jordan

Goals: Son Heungmin 9’ (pen), Park Yongwoo 37’ (o.g.); Yazan Al Naimat 45’+6, Yazan Al Arab 90’+1 (o.g.)

KOR: Jo Hyeonwoo, Lee Kije (Kim Taehwan 46’), Kim Minjae, Jung Seunghyun, Seol Youngwoo, Park Yongwoo (Hong Hyunseok 46’), Hwang Inbeom (Park Jinseob 90’+4), Lee Jaesung (Jeong Wooyeong 69’), Lee Kangin, Son Heungmin, Cho Guesung (Oh Hyeongyu 69’)