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South Korean national football team's hope of topping the Asian Cup after 47 years was shattered Wednesday when they were ousted by Iraq, 3-4, in a penalty shootout.
In a semifinal match in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dutch coach Pim Verbeek's Taeguk Warriors entered the penalty shootout for the second straight time. Following the quarterfinal match against Iran after a 120-minute lackluster action in regular and extra times, they missed two attempts by Yeom Ki-hun and Kim Jung-woo to surrender a berth to the final to Iraq.
With the loss, the Korean team, which has not advanced to the final of Asia's quadrennial football event since 1988, should wait for another four years to claim the championship, and coach Verbeek's future with the national team seems dim. The 51-year-old also leads the Olympic squad.
Brazilian Jorvan Vieira's Iraqi team reached the final for the first time in the history of the Asian Cup.
Its former best record was fourth place in the 1976 competition.
Unlike the expectation that Korea will beat Iraq easily because it won 3-0 in a friendly match one month ago in Jeju, Korea had trouble picking up chance due to rain, and fatigue caused by the quarterfinal match decided by the penalty shootout.
Lackadaisical offense throughout the preliminary round, cost the Korean side.
The Dutch coach's strategies lacked diversity and his strikers silenced.
Rather, 80th ranked Iraq overpowered the No. 58, taking several opportunities.
In the 15th minute, midfielder Nashat Akram's free kick was deflected by defenders, changing the direction, but goal keeper Lee Won-jae saved it.
Eight minutes later, Mahdi Karim sent a turning shoot, which went a few centimeters off the post.
In the extra time, fatigue slowed down Koreans more, allowing a decisive chance.
A cross on the right flank went to unmarked striker Hawar Mohammed, while the Korean goalie missed it.
He drove it past Lee, hitting the post first and being denied by defender Kim Jiin-kyu.
In the shootout, both teams made it through the third attempts, but Korea missed the two remaining trials.
credit-koreatimes.co.kr
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