South Korea are STUNNED in Asian Cup semi-finals as minnows Jordan beat Jurgen Klinsmann's side 2-0 to reach their first final
  • 3 months ago
Two-time winners South Korea were dumped out of the Asian Cup at the semi-final stage as Jordan earned a 2-0 win to reach the final for the first time.

South Korea, led by captain Son Heung-min, had survived narrow escapes en route to the last four.

Jurgen Klinsmann's side came unstuck against Jordan, who struck twice in the second half to claim victory.

Yazan Al-Naimat put Jordan ahead with a dinked finish in the 53rd minute, with Mousa Tamari's solo goal sealing their place in a maiden final.

Son had seen a goal ruled out for offside in the first half, with South Korea also having a penalty overturned following a VAR review.

Jordan, ranked 64 places lower than South Korea by FIFA, had never been past the quarter-final stages at the Asian Cup before the tournament.

Hussein Ammouta's team now awaits the winners of the second semi-final between Qatar and Iran in the final.

Hosts Qatar are the reigning champions.

South Korea had been hoping to win the Asian Cup for the first time since 1960 but was unconvincing throughout the tournament.

An injury-time own goal was required for South Korea to draw 2-2 with Jordan in the group stage, while they were also held to a 3-3 draw by Malaysia.

South Korea required an equalizer in the ninth minute of stoppage time and penalties to edge past Saudi Arabia.

A 96th-minute penalty forced extra time against Australia in the quarter-finals.

Son's stunning free-kick eventually earned South Korea a 2-1 win over Australia in extra-time to book a place in the semi-finals.

South Korea was unable to fight back against Jordan, with Klinsmann's side failing to muster a shot on target in the 90 minutes.

A disconsolate Son was commiserated at full-time by Jordan players, with the victors then seen celebrating their historic victory with their supporters.

Jordan will seek a maiden Asian Cup triumph when the final is held on Saturday.
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