Korea Republic men’s national team staged another comeback against Australia in the quarter-finals after defeating Saudi Arabia on penalties in the round 16.
 

Jurgen Klinsmann’s side came from behind to beat the Socceroos 2-1 after extra time at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah on Friday. Hwang Heechan cancelled out Craig Goodwin’s 42nd minute opener deep into added time, before Son Heungmin put his side ahead with a sublime free-kick in the extra-time first half. It was fourth time in succession that the Taegeuk Warriors left it late with a last-gasp equaliser in stoppage time since the draw with Jordan in their second group stage game.
 

Korea Republic are set to take on Jordan in the semi-finals at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan on Tuesday. The side had faced one another in a 2-2 stalemate in during the group stage last week.
 

Klinsmann switched back to his usual back four after reshuffling his rearguard with three centre-backs against Saudi Arabia. Cho Guesung started as a lone striker supported by Son Heungmin, who leapfrogged Lee Youngpyo as the most capped Korea Republic player at the continental finals with 17 appearances.
 

Hwang Heechan, Park Yongwoo, Hwang Inbeom and Lee Kangin started in midfield, with Hwang making his first start in these finals; Seol Youngwoo, Kim Younggwon, Kim Minjae and Kim Taehwan at the back. The latter became the oldest Korean player ever to make an appearance at the finals at the age of 34 years and 193 days, surpassing Cha Duri’s previous record by three days.
 

Having rested for only three days after the epic encounter with the Saudis, Korea Republic made a simple and straightforward approach to the game whilst the Aussies sat back and waited for their chances through counterattack. Hwang broke into the left side of the area after receiving a through ball from Kim Younggwon, only to drag his effort straight at Matthew Ryan after 21 minutes.
 

The men in red almost drew first blood after 32 minutes, when Lee Kangin put Seol Youngwoo through on the left side of the area. Seol laid a low cross into the path of an onrushing Hwang to put the ball into an empty net, but the left back had been adjudged to be offside by an inch.


 

And it was the Aussies that went ahead ten minutes later, when Craig Goodwin volleyed home from a cross from the right. Korea Republic fought back in search of an equaliser but they could not translate their dominance into scoring on the stroke of half time.
 

The Aussies looked the more likely to score after the interval, when Martin Boyle’s point-blank header was denied by Jo Hyeonwoo. The goalkeeper did well to parry away Boyle’s following effort with a reflex save, to prevent his side from falling further behind.
 

Klinsmann reshuffled his side midway through the second half, replacing striker Cho Guesung with attacking midfielder Lee Jaesung on 70 minutes. Hwang moved up front as a centre forward, with Son switching to the flanks. Hong Hyunseok came off the bench to replace Hwang Inbeom on 77 minutes, before forward Yang Hyunjun came on for fullback Kim Taehwan.
 

Korea Republic still struggled to find a breakthrough in the closing minutes, although they did manage to restore parity deep into stoppage time just like they had done against the Saudis in the round of 16. Son Heungmin was brought down on the left side of the area by Lewis Miller, and Hwang Heechan stepped up to convert the resulting penalty with his right foot.
 

The Taegeuk Warriors surged forward in extra time, with Hwang Heechan and Lee Kangin forcing a series of fine saves from Ryan. Moments later, Lee Jaesung dragged his shot just wide of the right post.
 

Korea Republic kept on knocking the door and it was finally open with sublime effort from the captain. Hwang Heechan earned a free-kick on the left edge of the area, from where Son Heungmin curled an unstoppable free-kick into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
 

Australia were then reduced to ten man after Aiden O’Neill received his marching orders following a reckless tackle on Hwang Heechan on the stroke of half time. Korea Republic kept the Aussies at bay in the remaining half, to get their revenge for the defeat in the final in 2015.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023

Quarter-finals

Korea Republic 2-1 Australia, a.e.t.

Goals: Hwang Heechan 90’+6 (pen), Son Heungmin 104’; Craig Goodwin 42’

KOR: Jo Hyeonwoo, Seol Youngwoo, Kim Younggwon, Kim Minjae, Kim Taehwan (Yang Hyunjun 85’), Hwang Heechan (Oh Hyeongyu 106’), Park Yongwoo (Park Jinseob 106’), Hwang Inbeom (Hong Hyunseok 77’), Lee Kangin (Jung Seunghyun 120’+1), Cho Guesung (Lee Jaesung 69’), Son Heungmin