A key match in the 1/8 finals of the Asian Cup was contested, with Saudi Arabia facing South Korea. Saudi Arabia qualified as group winners with two wins and one draw in the group stage. Although South Korea is also undefeated in the group stage, it only won 1 win and 2 draws, and can only advance as the second place in the group. South Korea's performance in the group stage is still a bit surprising, because their team with such a high value has conceded 6 goals in 3 games, which is a bit incredible, especially when Malaysia scored 3 goals. This time, South Korea will face Saudi Arabia, a three-time Asian Cup winner. Saudi Arabia is much stronger than South Korea's group stage opponents. As a result, South Korea eliminated Saudi Arabia on penalties in a very difficult situation.
In this game, the South Korean team lined up 3421 formations. Sun Xingmin is at the forefront. Zheng Youying and Li Gangren joined forces. Xue Young-woo, Hwang In-beom, Lee Jae-seong and Kim Tae-hwan partnered in the midfield. Kim Young-kwon, Kim Min-jae and Jung Seung-hyun started the game at the back three. Cho Hyun-woo served as the starting goalkeeper. Hwang Hee-chan and Cho Gyu-sung and others sat on the bench and stood by.
As soon as the game began, a long-range kick from Haibari flew wide. Son Heung-min burst into the box and cut inside to get his shot blocked. In the 25th minute, the South Korean team played a sharp counterattack, Son Heung-min received a long pass, burst into the penalty area, and shot low, but the kick was a little right, and the goalkeeper quickly fell to the ground to confiscate the ball. Three minutes later, Al-Shehri burst into the box after passing and fired a low shot into the far corner. In the 30th minute, Son Heung-min's low shot on the penalty line was firmly held by the goalkeeper. In the 41st minute, the South Korean team almost lost the goal, Saudi Arabia attacked the goal in front of the goal, and the ball was blocked by the goal frame one after another, which was incredible. At half-time, the score was still 0-0!
In the second half, it was easy to play again. In the 46th minute, Radif, who had just come on as a substitute, burst into the penalty area and scored with a single low shot, giving Saudi Arabia the lead! In the 54th minute, South Korea made its first substitution adjustment, and Hwang Hee-chan came on as a substitute to replace Jung Youying. Six minutes later, Haybari volleyed hard from outside the box into the near corner, and the goalkeeper easily held the ball. In the 64th minute, the South Korean team continued to make substitutions, with Cho Gyu-sung and Park Yong-woo coming on as substitutes. Four minutes later, Radif fired a low shot just wide.
In stoppage time, Cho Gyu-sung headed in the goal, only for the ball to hit the crossbar and bounce off. Then, Hwang Hee-chan shot from a tight angle and kicked wide. At the last moment, Cho Gyu-sung relayed the ball with a header and headed it in, completing the equalization! It was amazing! The regular time was tied and had to go into extra time. In extra-time, both sides did not score and went to a penalty shootout. In the penalty shoot-out, Sami Najib and Gharib took the penalty and were both saved by Cho Hyun-woo. As a result, the South Korean team eliminated Saudi Arabia with an aggregate score of 5-3 and reached the top 8. Saudi Arabia, the three-time winner of the Asian Cup, is out! South Korea will next face Australia.