South Korea overcame pre-tournament favorite Iran 4-2 through penalty kicks while Saudi Arabia defeated Uzbekistan to advance to the semi-finals at the Asian Cup on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae became hero of South Korea team after he denied in the shoot-out Iranian captain Mehdi Mahdavikia and forward Rasoul Khatibi.
The two sides played a game of high speed and quick transition in persisting rain. The first half saw a balance game though Iran was more menacing.
Both sides made adjustments after the interval, trying to score the first. But the match entered extra time after a 0-0 draw within 90 minutes.
Iran gained a slight advantage in the extra time with Javad Nekounam narrowly missing the target at the end of first half.
South Korea will stay in Malaysia to face Iraq in the semi finals, who defeated Vietnam 2-0 on Saturday.
In another quarter-final match in Jakarta, striker Yasser Al Qahtani scored one goal and created a second as Saudi Arabia overran Uzbekistan 2-1.
Yasser Al Qahtani gave Saudi Arabia created the best possible start by putting team ahead in only three minutes into the game.
After withstanding Uzbekistan rally, Ahmed Al Mousa doubled the lead in the 75th minute when he broke into the box and clipped the ball home, giving Saudi Arabia 2-0 advantage.
Pavel Solomin pulled one back for Uzbekistan with eight minutes left, but it was proved too late.
Saudi Arabia will go to Vietnam to challenge Japan, who shut the Australia team out through penalty kicks on Saturday.
South Korea will stay in Malaysia, waiting for the challenge from Iraq, who defeated Vietnam on Saturday.
Source: Xinhua
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