Korea Republic have reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup after defeating Saudi Arabia on penalties in an epic encounter at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan on Tuesday.
 

Jurgen Klinsmann’s charges came from one goal behind to draw level through Cho Guesung’s point-blank header deep into added time, before emerging victorious after extra time and a penalty shootout where Jo Hyeonwoo saved two spot-kicks from the Saudis.
 

The Taegeuk Warriors are set to take on Australia in the last eight at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakra on Friday.
 

Captain Son Heungmin became the most capped Korea Republic player in the Asian Cup alongside Lee Youngpyo with 16 appearances, and one more outing against Australia would see him surpass the unprecedented record set by the legendary fullback. Meanwhile, Kim Taehwan also became the oldest player to take part in the continental finals at the age of 34 years and 190 days, a record previously held by Cha Duri who is now the assistant coach for the national team. Kim could make another history with an appearance in the quarter-final against the Socceroos.


 

Korea Republic struggled to find a breakthrough in the early stages, with Saudi Arabia enjoying more of the possession after opening exchanges. Abdullah Al Khaibari fired a warning shot after 13 minutes, before Hwang Inbeom put Son Heungmin through on goal only for the captain to be denied by a timely intervention.
 

Son came tantalisingly close to scoring on 26 minutes, when Kim Taehwan found the No7 lurking into the right side of the area. However, Son could only drag his effort straight at Ahmed Al Kassar.

It was the Saudis that looked the more likely to score on the stroke of half time, as Saleh Al Shehri’s header off a corner ricocheted off the crossbar. Ali Lajami latched onto the rebound with another header that smashed the woodwork, before Salem Al Dawsari’s effort swerved just wide the left post.
 

Saudi Arabia finally drew first blood right after the interval, when Abdullah Radif broke into the left side of the box to unleash a low shot past Jo Hyeonwoo after receiving a clever through ball from Salem Al Dawsari.


 

Klinsmann responded almost immediately by bringing Hwang Heechan on for Jeong Wooyeong, before Cho Guesung and Park Yongwoo came off the bench to replace Lee Jaesung and Jung Seunghyun respectively on 64 minutes. Hwang broke into the edge of the area to lay the ball into the path of an onrushing Cho in vain, before Kim Minjae’s header off a Hwang Inbeom corner went over the bar.
 

Korea Republic still struggled to score in the closing minutes. Seol Youngwoo saw his effort following Kim Taehwan’s cross denied by the goalkeeper, before Son Heungmin’s shot from the rebound was deflected by a defender. Lee Kangin then exchanged a one-two before sending a cross from the left side of the box, only for Cho to guide his header against the crossbar.
 

The Taegeuk Warriors finally broke the deadlock deep into added time. Kim Taehwan’s cross from the right was laid down by Seol Youngwoo into the path of Cho, who scored the equaliser with a clinical header to force the match into extra time.
 

Korea Republic kept up the momentum in extra time, with Lee Kangin creating clear-cut chances from set-pieces. Park Yongwoo miscued his volley off a Lee Kangin free-kick well over the bar, before Kim Minjae’s header off Lee Kangin’s corner went straight at the goalkeeper. Lee Kangin then moved into the left flank to cause all sorts of problems for the Saudis.
 

But the men in red wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead three minutes into the extra time second half, when a trio of forwards – Hwang Heechan, Cho Guesung and Son Heungmin – missed the right timing to shoot amidst a goalmouth scramble. Lee Kangin then saw his powerful effort denied by the keeper, and the shootout ensued.


 

Korea Republic’s first three kickers – Son Heungmin, Kim Younggwon and Cho Guesung – all converted from the spot, whilst Jo Hyeonwoo saved an effort from Sami Al Naji and then another from Abdulrahman Ghareeb. Hwang Heechan then stepped up for the decisive penalty, which he duly converted to round off the famous victory.
 

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023

Round of 16

Korea Republic 1-1 Saudi Arabia, a.e.t. 4-2 PSO

Goals: Cho Guesung 90’+9, Abdullah Radif 46’

KOR: Jo Hyeonwoo, Kim Younggwon, Kim Minjae (Park Jinseob 117’), Jung Seunghyun (Park Yongwoo 64’), Seol Youngwoo, Kim Taehwan, Hwang Inbeom (Hong Hyunseok 104’), Lee Jaesung (Cho Guesung 64’), Jeong Wooyeong (Hwang Heechan 54’), Lee Kangin, Son Heungmin