Prolific goal scorer Hwang Ui-jo snatched a second-half winner as South Korea beat Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Philippines 1-0 at the Asian Cup on Monday. The Koreans, looking to end 59 years of hurt after failing to win the title since 1960, soaked up considerable pressure in their opening group C match before Hwang broke the deadlock after 67 minutes in the United Arab Emirates. The Japan-based striker swivelled and smashed home from close range in Dubai to settle his side’s nerves after Newcastle midfielder Ki Sung-yueng limped off with a suspected hamstring injury. China thank Kyrgyzstan goalkeeper blunders for comeback win at Asian Cup in UAE South Korea, who will be boosted by the arrival of Tottenham star Son Heung-min after their first two games, joined China with three points at the top of their group after Marcello Lippi’s side squeezed past Kyrgyzstan 2-1 earlier in the day in Al Ain. The Koreans, runners-up to hosts Australia four years ago, endured a nervous wait for their breakthrough goal against the Asian Cup first-timers. Asian Cup 2019: China face litmus test against Son Heung-min’s South Korea and new boys Philippines, Kyrgyzstan Let’s go @TheAzkalsPH ! ⌛️ 24 hours until we start our @afcasiancup campaign! Getting the last tactical details before our game against South Korea #afcasiancup2019 #philippines #azkals #dreamtheimpossible pic.twitter.com/DMewT9TAWn — Michael Falkesgaard (@mfalkesgaard1) 6 January 2019 <!--//--><![CDATA[// ><!-- //--><!]]> They were indebted to goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, who plunged to his right to deny Javier Patino in the 54th minute. But Hwang, whose tournament-high nine goals helped South Korea win last year’s Asian Games title, came to the rescue with a piece of magic in the box and was unlucky not to add further goals as the competition favourites finished strongly.