Asian Cup: Son helps South Korea preserve perfect record
January 16, 2019
South Korea preserved their perfect record in the Group C decider against China as Heung-Min Son made an immediate impact at the Asian Cup. However, there was no separating Iran and Iraq in Group D.
Image: Reuters/S. Salem
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Group C
South Korea 2-0 China
(Hwang Pen. 14', Kim 51')
After making a fashionably late arrival that A-list superstars would have been proud of, Heung-Min Son play the role of supporting actor in his first game at the Asian Cup as South Korea made it three wins out of three in Group C.
"My first game of the tournament, clean sheet, 2-0 -- it's a happy afternoon!,” said the Tottenham striker, who had a hand in both goals, winning an early penalty before picking out Min-Jae Kim from a corner to help South Korea wrap up the group stages with a perfect record.
"We could have scored more goals due to the opportunities we created during the 90 minutes,” said head coach Paulo Bento. "With this result we achieved the aim that we wanted to achieve, getting in the first position of the group."
Heung-Min Son was given special dispensation to miss the opening two games of the Asian Cup after an agreement with his club Tottenham.Image: Reuters/S. Salem
A Vitalij Lux hat-trick sent Sven-Goran Eriksson's Philippines crashing out and Kyrgyzstan through from Group C as one of the best third-placed teams after a 3-1 victory.
The Filipino "street dogs" grabbed a late consolation through Stephan Schrock -- their first-ever Asian Cup goal and one celebrated with gusto by their noisy fans.
Iran finished top of their Group D on Wednesday after a hard-fought but goalless draw with arch-rivals Iraq.
The latest instalment in one of football's great rivalries began at a frenetic pace, but a raw and uncompromising first half gave way to a more tactical second period. Iraq nearly snatched a late winner, but both sides appeared happy to settle for the draw and reserve their energy for the knockout stages.
"I'm a little bit tired after that," said Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz. "It was intense, it was enthusiastic, it was played in a good spirit."
Iran are still yet to concede at the Asian Cup 2019 after they clinched top spot in Group D on goal difference following a 0-0 draw with Iraq.Image: mehrnews
Vietnam 2-0 Yemen
(Nguyen 38', Que Pen. 64')
Vietnam kept their hopes of reaching the last 16 alive after wrapping up third place in Group D courtesy of a 2-0 win over war-torn Yemen.
Nguyen Quang Hai produced a sensational effort from a free-kick handed the lead to the Golden Dragons, who doubled their advantage after the break with Que Ngoc Hai converting from the spot.
Vietnam will have to wait until Thursday when the group stage concludes to find out if they've done enough to reach the knockout stages as one of the four best third-placed teams.
jt (AFP, dpa)
The Asian Cup in pictures
While the players are giving their all on the pitch, so are the supporters in the stands. The 2019 Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates has had a lot to offer – and it's a long way from over.
Breakdancing in Abu Dhabi! Well not quite… The winner of this particular duel was the man with one foot on the ground, Japan's Wataru Endo. Japan beat Oman in this Group F match to book their ticket to the knockout phase.
The Japanese fans were in a festive mood as they cheered their team on to victory. They will be hoping for the Samurai Blue to advance far beyond the round of 16, where their journey ended at the World Cup in Russia last summer. Who knows? Maybe Japan can even add to their record four Asian Cup titles.
Mahdi Taremi of Iran clearly came out on top in this battle for the ball against Vietnam's Pham Duc Huy. Following their 2-0 win over Vietnam, their second in their first two matches, Iran too are through to the knockout phase as they strive for a third Asian Cup trophy.
Image: Getty Images/F. Nel
Catching a live game
Just as they did at last summer's World Cup in Russia, a number of female Iranian fans have taken the opportunity to watch their team live. A stadium ban, which was briefly lifted and then reinstated, means they can't do so at home.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/K. Desouki
A good omen?
Lebanese goalkeeper Mehdi Khalil managed to stop this one, but he was twice beaten by Saudi Arabia for a 2-0 final score. This is just the second time that the Saudis have won both of their first matches. The last time they did this – in 1966 – they won the whole thing. Then too, the tournament was hosted by the United Arab Emirates.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/G. Cacace
Penalty area battle
Lebanon may have failed to score in their first two matches, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. It may not look like it, but Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais actually game out on top here, even if he didn't manage to punch the ball clear. A clean sheet is a clean sheet.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/K. Desouki
Little fan, big win
China also opened their Asian Cup campaign with two wins, beating the Kyrgyz Republic 2-1 and blanking the Philippines 3-0. This young Chinese fan clearly approves!
Image: Getty Images/AFP/K. Desouki
Heading home
Oman failed to earn a point from their first two matches, making their third academic. That means this fan will be headed home early, despite his best efforts to inspire his team though fancy dressing.
