South Korea defeat Saudi Arabia on penalties to advance to Asian Cup quarter-finals

South Korea defeated Saudi Arabia 4-2 in a penalty shootout to advance to the Asian Cup quarterfinals after a thrilling last-16 tie ended 1-1 after extra time on Tuesday at Education City Stadium.

After South Korea's Cho Gue-sung equalised in second-half added time to cancel out Abdullah Radif's opener, Jo Hyeon-Woo saved penalties from Sami Al-Najei and Abdulrahman Ghareeb in the shootout, sending South Korea through.

"I had confidence that I could make some saves for my team. I'm happy I could take my team through to the next round," Jo told reporters

South Korea converted all of their spot kicks to advance, but they will only have two days to recover after playing 120 minutes, as their quarter-final match against 2015 champions Australia is on Friday.

"That's the reason why I badly wanted to win our group. Some people said I was happy not to top the group and avoid Japan", South Korea coach Juergen Klinsmann said. "We didn't win the group and we've paid the price."

"But this win has given this team more spirit. I enjoy coaching this group and they badly want to do well for their country. We wanted to win before penalties, we didn't count on a shootout."

"We will recover because we have a good atmosphere. We're looking forward to Australia, they won 4-0 (against Indonesia). This win tonight gives us a lot of optimism, belief and energy - which we will need to beat Australia."

"Asia is Green" read one banner, alongside another depicting a player in Saudi kit crouching with one hand on the Asian Cup trophy, as vocal fans bouncing in the stands created an atmosphere that felt like a home game for Roberto Mancini's side.

However, it was the South Korean team, dressed in bright orange, that triumphed after the Gulf nation and three-time champions ran out of gas in the final stages of the game and crumbled under pressure.

Saudi Arabia had the best chance of the first half, with two headers from a corner hitting the crossbar and a third destined for the top corner being parried away by goalkeeper Jo.

Son Heung-min was put through on goal twice, but his weak attempts were easily saved, and the half ended goalless.

However, Saudi Arabia took the lead immediately after the restart, with halftime substitute Radif making an immediate impact 30 seconds after coming on.

The lanky 21-year-old forward made a run in behind the defence, taking a pass from skipper Salem Al-Dawsari and beating the keeper with a shot that nestled in the far bottom corner of the net before wheeling away in celebration.

The goal fueled the Saudis' momentum, and they made it difficult for South Korea, who struggled to make inroads into the final third until the final 10 minutes, when they had a series of set pieces.

With Saudi Arabia having one foot in the quarter-finals, South Korea finally broke through the Saudi defence in the ninth minute of added time, when their pressure paid off and Cho scored from close range to force extra time.

After neither team scored in extra time, the arena was silenced when Jo made two saves in the shootout.

Saudi fans began to leave in droves, and Mancini also walked straight down the tunnel before Hwang Hee-chan scored the game-winning penalty kick.

"I apologise for this; I thought the shootout was over," said Mancini, who also dismissed speculation about his future as Saudi Arabia's coach.

"I don't think you understand the level of Korea, it's too high. They have incredible players."

"I'm very sad after conceding a goal in the last minute and losing a penalty shootout. I don't understand why 10 minutes of extra time was added. As a team it's clear we have to improve more at this level, we have to work."

SportsLigue