South Korea topple Iran on penalties to reach semis

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South Korea's player Yeom Ki-hun (L) fights for the ball with Iranian midfielder Mehdi Mahdavikia during the Asian Cup 2007 quarter-final match in Kuala Lumpur. — Photo: Internet

KUALA LUMPUR, Jul 22 (AFP): South Korea won a gruelling and fluctuating epic 4-2 on penalties against Iran Sunday to set up an Asian Cup semi-final with Iraq.
The shoot-out became the circuit-breaker after both teams had played themselves to a standstill over the regulation 90 minutes and 30 minutes' extra time without scoring a goal.
The Koreans held their nerve with their veteran goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae proving the hero when he saved efforts from Mehdi Mahdavikia and Rasoul Khatibi to acclaim from the chanting Korean supporters.
It was the second quarter-final at the tournament to go to a shoot-out after Japan knocked out Australia 4-3 on penalties in Hanoi Saturday.
While ecstatic, Verbeek knows plenty of hard work remains with just two days to recover from the energy-sapping match before facing Iraq here Wednesday.
It was huge relief for South Korea, who had been beaten twice in their three previous quarter-finals with Iran at the Asian Cup.
South Korea twice won the Asian Cup in the origins of the tournament in 1960 and 1964 and despite finals appearances in 1972, 1980 and 1988 have yet to add another trophy.
They are now just one game away from the July 29 final in Jakarta.
Midfielder Mehrzad Madanchi became the first player booked when he brought down livewire Korean striker Lee Chun-soo midway through the opening half.
South Korea almost caught Iran on the counter with slick passing for Lee to race clear but he was deemed to have fouled Madanchi and the chance was wasted.
The match went into extra-time and Javad Nekounam looked poised to score at the end of the first period when his drive off a Karimi lay-off flashed just wide of the left post.
In the final minute of extra-time Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei switched goalkeepers with Vahid Talebloo coming on for Rodbarian as he planned his strategy for the penalty shoot-out.
Ultimately, it was 34-year-old Lee, who has played more than 100 times for his country and was a vital part of their run to the 2002 World Cup semi-finals, who became a national hero with his heroics in the shootout.