by It has been labeled “zombie football” because South Korea have scored four goals in second-half extra time in five Asian Cup games. The never-say-die Taeguk Warriors have stumbled and headed to the semi-finals, arms outstretched, trying to lift the trophy for the first time since 1960. Just when you think you’ve beaten them, Son Heung- min, Hwang Hee-chan or Lee Kang-in.
The manager, Jürgen Klinsmann, seems content to let his stars do their thing. “Mac is a great leader and player and I trust his decisions,” said the German after the last-minute escape, a 2-1 quarter-final win over Australia that booked their match against Jordan Tuesday. Fans also trust the captain and are unsure about the coach; for now, however, they are willing to go along for the ride and see where it ends.
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The Taeguk Warriors did not impress for the most part, drawing with Jordan and Malaysia in the group stage. A second-half lead in the second half did not go down well with the sight of a smiling Klinsmann. Without a clear strategy or game plan, Korea managed to knock out two powerhouses in Saudi Arabia and Australia in the knockout stages after being 90 seconds away from eliminating both.
Both ties played out the same way: Korea going down the back and not really threatening until the closing stages. Against Saudi Arabia the equalizer – which was coming – came in the 99th minute. Against Australia, where an equalizer looked less likely, it came three minutes earlier. Once the two goals went in, however, Korea dominated and won thanks to a penalty against Saudi Arabia and Son’s special free-kick against the Socceroos.
Then along comes Jordan, who were denied a group-stage victory against Klinsmann’s men by conceding a last-minute goal. Korea should not be complacent at all but fans would love a controlled performance and a comfortable win. That could prove difficult against a team that defeated the impressive Iraq 3-2 in an epic second-round win before surprise package Tajikistan were knocked out. Jordan coach Hussein Ammouta has been successful in Africa and despite terrible results in the build-up he has created a solid team that is extremely quick on the counter. Jordan loves nothing more than being underdogs and they have nothing to lose in their first semi-final.
When Japan beat them 6-1 last month in their final warm-up game, no one would have imagined that the losers would outlast the winners in the upcoming competition. Many expected and wanted the Korea-Japan final, a clash between Asia’s biggest rivals and probably the two best teams. But as Korea embraces zombie football, it was too easy to kill Japan. A group stage win against Iraq exposed their defensive frailties and the passive Blue Samurai deservedly beat Iran in the quarter-finals on Saturday. The Asian Cup was supposed to be a step up the ladder to become a world power and challenge at the 2026 World Cup. That may still happen but it may not happen with Hajime Moriyasu in charge.
Iran have won all five games and welcome back their talismanic striker Mehdi Taremi from suspension for the semi-final against Qatar. In the absence of the Porto star, Sardar Azmoun stepped up against Japan and the Roma forward put in an excellent performance. Brentford’s Saman Ghoddos has also started to show for his class. Amir Ghalenoei, who failed to impress during his first spell as coach at the 2007 Asian Cup, was not the top choice to succeed Carlos Queiroz. Everyone will be forgiven if he ends his 48-year wait for the championship.
The Shah was in power in Tehran the last time the Asian Cup came to the capital but a title this time would equal Japan’s record of four. Iran is a true Asian power and sometimes they feel they don’t get the recognition they deserve. Beating Japan will certainly help that and could go to the final.
Qatar edged out Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals, 3-2 in the final after the match ended 1-1. Uzbekistan had the best of the game but their reputation as continental chokers was missing three penalties, the last of which summed it up: Jalolidin Masharipov went down the middle and sent the ball straight into goalkeeper’s arms.
It was the kind of test Qatar, the hosts, probably needed after four fairly comfortable wins and their experienced players, who starred in the 2019 Asian Cup triumph, will need to winger Akram Afif and captain Hassan al-Haydos, step up. against Iran. With the big crowds getting behind the Maroons, there really is a belief that they can go all the way again. To do that, someone will have to find a way to kill those Zombie Koreans.
