Yoon bolt puts S. Korea in semis
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Jan. 22: South Korean substitute Yoon Bit Ga-Ram grabbed a sensational 105th-minute extra-time winner on Saturday to see off a stubborn Iran 1-0 and set up a semi-final clash with arch East Asian rivals Japan. Korea finally emerged victorious in what was the fifth quarterfinal meeting between the two regional giants in as many Asian Cups — putting them 3-2 up in their mini-series and breaking Iran hearts just as penalties seemed inevitable.
Yoon, 20, the K-League young player of the year, struck in injury time at the end of the first period of extra-time, weaving his way across the face of the box then hitting a curler past the keeper and into the bottom corner.
The other semi-final will be between Australia and Uzbekistan, also on Tuesday. “The players were willing to sacrifice themselves for the team and we showed good organisation. But the most important thing the players learned was to enjoy controlling the game,” said Korean coach Cho Kwang-Rae.
“Japan have been getting better and better in every aspect in this tournament. But I have never feared Japan, even as a player, and I don’t fear them now.” Iran coach Afshin Ghotbi admitted it was hugely disappointing for the three-times champions, who have not won the Asian Cup since 1976.
“In the first-half we didn’t play like we can, that maybe had to do with the Koreans’ quality and our own tension,” said Ghotbi, who used to be South Korea’s assistant coach.
“I could’ve changed seven or eight players in the first-half as they really didn’t play as well as they can,” he added.
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