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Reuters

South Korea stormed into the Asian Cup final with a clinical 2-0 victory over Iraq yesterday, avenging a painful defeat at the same stage eight years ago.
Goals from Lee Jeong-hyeop and Kim Young-gwon did the job for the Koreans, who dominated a wet semi-final in Sydney to move a step closer to ending a title drought dating all the way back to 1960.
They face either hosts Australia or the United Arab Emirates on Saturday in their first final appearance at Asia's showcase tournament in 27 years.
"We can't speak any more about pressure," said South Korea's coach Uli Stielike.

	For me there is no doubt they will reach the final and we have to be prepared to play the best Australia team

	Uli Stielike
"We came to Australia as the third-ranked team in Asia and we have achieved all the goals we set. What comes now is extra. We have already taken a big step forward."
The German insisted that South Korea's 1-0 win over Australia in the group stage would count for little if, as he predicted, they meet the Socceroos again in the final.
"You know what Australia team we played that day," he sniffed. "[Mile] Jedinak injured, [Tim] Cahill on the bench, [Mathew] Leckie on the bench, [Robbie] Kruse on the bench," he added as his phone went off.
"My wife," deadpanned Stielike, before continuing: "We didn't play the best Australia team. For me there is no doubt they will reach the final and we have to be prepared to play the best Australia team."

South Korean midfielder Nam Tae-hee, who was named man of the match, said: "This semi-final was crucial for us to get to the final. We know we have not won this competition for many years.
"All the players were together, firm and united, and that's what gave us the win today."
There was no repeat of Iraq's shock win over South Korea in 2007, when they won a dramatic penalty shoot-out before completing their fairy-tale run by beating Saudi Arabia to lift the trophy in Jakarta.
South Korea, still to concede in their five matches, simply overpowered the Iraqis, Lee climbing to glance in a free kick from Kim Jin-su after 20 minutes.
Golden boy Son Heung-min had already forced goalkeeper Jalal Hassan into a smart save with a long-distance rocket before Lee - a surprise Asian Cup call-up by Stielike - netted his second goal of the tournament. Lee, who scored in the 1-0 win over Australia in the group stages, turned provider five minutes after the break, chesting down a high ball for Kim to smash home from the edge of the box.

Skipper Ki Sung-yueng stung Hassan's gloves with another howitzer from long range as South Korea continued to swarm forward, the mercurial Son proving a different class as he ghosted effortlessly past Iraq's bedraggled players.
Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishil, looking forlorn in a plastic poncho, barked out orders, but there was little left in the tank after battling fierce rivals Iran to a standstill in the quarter-finals.
Iraq, who prevailed 7-6 on penalties after a helter-skelter 3-3 draw, rarely threatened despite the danger posed by 2007 hero Younis Mahmoud, and the final whistle triggered wild celebrations among the ranks of Korean fans in the crowd of 36,000.
"We knew it was going to be tough," said Shenaishil. "Korea have a quality team with a lot of players in top leagues in the world. For us there were a lot of positives to take from the tournament."
Additional reporting by Reuters


Clinical South Korea reach Asian Cup final

South Korea's Kwak Tae-hwi leaps high above Iraq's Younis Mahmoud to head the ball in their Asian Cup semi-final in Sydney. South Korea won 2-0. Photo: Reuters

Kim Young-gwon (left) is congratulated on scoring a goal by man of the match Nam Tae-hee during South Korea's 2-0 win over Iraq in the Asian Cup semi-final in Sydney. Photo: EPA

South Korean fans beat the drums and roar their team on against Iraq. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football

Red Devils sweep aside Iraq to avenge defeat in semi-finals eight years ago and are now one step away from ending a regional title drought stretching back to 1960


Clinical South Korea reach Asian Cup final

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Red Devils sweep aside Iraq to avenge defeat in semi-finals eight years ago and are now one step away from ending a regional title drought stretching back to 1960

Red Devils sweep aside Iraq to avenge defeat in semi-finals eight years ago and are now one step away from ending a regional title drought stretching back to 1960