Iran pay penalty as Korea progress
Jul 22, 2007
PA Sport
KUALA LUMPUR - Irans hopes of a first AFC Asian Cup title in 31
years were dashed on Sunday evening after Team Melli were beaten by
Korea Republic in a tense penalty shootout at a rainy Bukit Jalil
National Stadium.
The match went to penalties after a lively and physical
quarter-final encounter between two familiar foes had finished
goalless and goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae emerged as the hero for the
Taeguk Warriors, stopping attempts by Mehdi Mahdavikia and Rasoul
Khatibi to give his side a 4-2 victory.
Korea, who face Iraq in the semi-finals at the same venue on
Wednesday, avenged a 4-3 defeat suffered to the Iranians at the
same stage in China three years ago.
The two teams had also met in the quarter-finals of the previous
two Asian Cups with the Koreans winning 2-1 in Lebanon in 2000 and
Iran scoring a 6-2 win in the United Arab Emirates in 1996.
Korea coach Pim Verbeek made two changes from the side that beat
Indonesia 1-0 with forwards Lee Dong-gook and Yeom Ki-hun replacing
Cho Jae-jin and Choi Sung-kuk.
Meanwhile, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei made three alterations from
the side which beat Malaysia 2-0 with Rasoul Khatibi, Mehrzad
Madanchi and Mohammed Nosrati replacing Reza Enayati, Eman Mobali
and Ferydoon Zandi.
The Bukit Jalil Stadium was far from full for the clash between two
superpowers of Asian football but the two sets of supporters
created a rousing atmosphere that was mirrored on the pitch by
robust play from both sides in the early exchanges.
The Koreans had the first real opening in the sixth minutes when
they were awarded a free kick for Mohammed Nosratis challenge on
Yeom Ki-hun but dead ball specialist Lee Chun-soo failed to take
advantage, firing his effort from 20 metres over the
crossbar.
The Koreans did much of the early probing but their high defensive
line was nearly caught out on two occasions, Khatibi flagged
offside both times as he looked to burst clear from midfield.
Yeom Ki-huns strong running caused plenty of problems for the
Iranians and he very nearly forced an opening on 23 minutes when he
made a mazy run through the heart of the Team Melli defence only to
stumble on the soggy pitch as he closed in on goal.
A minute later, goalkeeper Hassan Roudbarian had to dive low to his
left to keep out a low shot by Kim Sang-sik which took a slight
nick off Lee Chun-soo on the edge of the Iran box.
Iran were struggling to contain the pace of the Koreans but Mehdi
Mahdvikia almost caught out the east Asians with a quick break on
the half-hour, turning Kim Chi-woo inside the Korean box before
dragging his attempt wide.
As the half came to a close, it was the Iranians who enjoyed the
best chances, with Ali Karimi denied by the feet of Lee Woon-jae on
42 minutes after receiving a neat pass from Vahid Hashemian, while
Mahdavikia saw his goal-bound shot blocked by Kim Jin-kyu in the
six-yard box.
Lee Woon-jae was called into action once again early in the second
half, punching clear under challenge from Hashemian on the edge of
his six-yard box.
On the hour, the Koreans nearly broke the deadlock when Yeom Ki-hun
gathered the ball on the edge of the Iranian box after Nosrati had
missed a header. The Jeonbuk Motors failed to connect cleanly but
his shot bounced dangerously towards goal, forcing Roudbarian to
desperately palm the ball aside.
The cut and thrust continued with Cho Jae-jin heading over after
Kim Chi-woo had crossed from the left byline.
Khatibi nearly punished hesitant goalkeeping by Lee Woon-jae midway
through the second half, as he beat the Korean skipper to a long
ball played down the left flank only to be taken out by a crunching
tackle by Oh Beom-seok, who received a yellow card for his
troubles.
For all of the endeavour of the two teams, there were few clear-cut
chances in the second half until the closing minutes when Javad
Nekounam fired a fierce drive from 30 metres straight at Lee
Woon-jae before Zandi put in a low cross from the left flank to
fellow substitute Enayati, who put his shot wide at the far
post.
For the second time in this years Asian Cup, extra-time was
required but there were precious few chances in the extra frames
with the Koreans going close on 99 minute when Choi Sung-kuks
corner kick was flicked across goal by Kang Min-soo.
Nekounam then squandered an opening right before the teams changed
ends, firing wide from the edge of the box after receiving an
excellent layoff from Karimi.
Mahdavikia forced Lee Woon-jae into a diving stop early in the
second extra period but with both sides tiring on the heavy pitch,
a penalty shootout became almost inevitable.
Iran brought on goalkeeper Vahid Taleblou in place of Roudbarian in
the dying seconds for the shootout and his lanky frame kept out Kim
Do-heons third attempt for the Koreans.
However, Lee Woon-jae kept out attempts by Mahdavikia and Khatibi,
allowing Kim Jung-woo to roll home the winning kick, sending Korea
through to a last four meeting with Iraq.
