Lee Kangin (below C) of South Korea competes during the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
DOHA, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Jordan defeated South Korea 2-0 through goals from Yazan Al Naimat and Mousa Al Tamari to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup final for the first time here on Tuesday.
The two sides had played out to a 2-2 draw in the group stage. This was South Korea's fifth AFC Asian Cup semifinal in seven editions. But Jordan, ranked 64 places below South Korea, was making a first-ever appearance in the semifinals.
Jordan attacked aggressively at the beginning of the match but missed many good shooting chances. South Korea slowly grew into the match, with star striker Son Heung-min's effort in the 19th minute ruled out for offside.
The West Asian side broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when Al Naimat lobbed the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo following a well-timed pass from Al Tamari.
Jordan struck again 13 minutes later, when Al Tamari skipped past three South Korea defenders before finding the net.
"I am very disappointed. I am angry because we should have done better tonight," said South Korea head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
"It is a team that is growing and still needs to develop towards the next World Cup. There is a lot of work ahead of us. Apart from that, I am not thinking of anything," added Klinsmann.
Jordan will face Iran or defending champion Qatar in the final. ■
Son Heung Min of South Korea reacts during the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Son Heung Min (C) of South Korea competes during the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Mousa Altamari of Jordan reacts during the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
Mousa Altamari (2nd L) of Jordan breaks through during the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Mousa Altamari (C) of Jordan competes during the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
Son Heung Min (R) of South Korea competes during the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Abdallah Nasib (top) of Jordan vies for the ball during the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
Jordan's Yazan Alnaimat (L) shoots and scores during the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Jordan's Yazan Alnaimat (top) shoots and scores during the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Fans of Jordan celebrate after the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
South Korea's Jung Seunghyun heads for the ball during the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Jordan's Mousa Altamari (front C) shoots and scores during the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Jordan's Yazeed Abulaila (L) celebrates with Ehsan Haddad after the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Jordan's Yazan Alarab celebrates after the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
South Korea's goalkeeper Jo Hyeonwoo (top L) makes a save against Jordan's Yazan Alarab during the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
A supporter waves a Jordanian national flag prior to the semi-final between Jordan and South Korea at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Feb. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
