The Asian Cup 2023 final between Australia and South Korea was a thrilling encounter that left fans on the edge of their seats. The match took place at a packed stadium, with both teams displaying exceptional skill and determination throughout the game.
From the very beginning, it was evident that this would be a closely contested match. Both teams started strongly, creating numerous chances to take an early lead. However, it was South Korea who struck first, with a well-executed goal in the 20th minute. Australia responded quickly, equalizing just before half-time through a brilliant header.
Son Heung-min gave South Korea a dramatic 2-1 win over Australia after extra time in the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup on Friday.
Victory kept alive South Korea’s hopes of a third Asian Cup title and a first since 1960. It set up a semifinal against Jordan, which reached the last four for the first time by beating Tajikistan 1-0.
Tottenham’s Son, Asia’s best player and South Korea’s skipper, had yet to fully make his mark at the tournament in Qatar but he delivered when it counted.
First he won a penalty when Lewis Miller brought him down in injury time at the end of normal time, then he stepped up to curl home a sublime free-kick from the edge of the box in the 104th minute.
Sensing the challenge coming from Miller, Son intelligently planted his feet down to shield the ball and, in an instant, drew contact from the unfortunate Socceroos substitute -- who had been brought on earlier in a bid to see out the win.
Earlier, Jordan defeated Tajikistan thanks to an own-goal from Vahdat Hanonov midway through the second half in Al-Rayyan.
The deadlock at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium was broken after 66 minutes when a corner kick bounced off the chest of Tajikistan’s Hanonov and into his own net.
Mousa Tamari had the chance to extend Jordan’s lead but the wing shot just wide from inside the area.
South Korea dominated the first half but it was Australia who opened the scoring in the 42nd minute.
Hwang In-beom gave the ball away in defence and Connor Metcalfe floated the ball to the back post for Goodwin to volley home.
The Socceroos had chances to double their lead but failed to take them and the Koreans made them pay with the equaliser from the spot deep into injury time.
Son then completed the turnaround, curling the ball inside Maty Ryan’s post for the winner.
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