South Korea, Bahrain and Jordan qualified for the eighth finals of the Asian Cup in Qatar on Thursday. For the Koreans, with substitute Hong Hyun-Seok (AA Gent), a 3-3 draw against Malaysia was sufficient on the third matchday of group E.
In a crazy match in Doha, South Korea took the lead thanks to Jeong Woo-Yeong (21.). Malaysia turned the tables after the break with goals from Mohamed Halim (51.) and Afif Aiman (61., pen). In the end, South Korea seemed to take control with goals from star players Lee Kang-In (83.) and Heung Min-Son (90.+4, pen), but Malaysia came in the 15th (!) minute of the extra time still alongside. Hong Hyun-Seok was allowed onto the field by national coach Jürgen Klinsmann just after the hour.
Due to the draw, South Korea narrowly misses out on the group win with five points. That honor goes to Bahrain (6 pts), which won 1-0 against Jordan (4 pts). The Jordanians can also participate in the second round as one of the best four thirds. Dion Cools’ Malaysia was eliminated by just one point.
Later Thursday, from 4 p.m. Belgian time, there will be the final matchday in group F with the match between Saudi Arabia and Thailand and the meeting between Kyrgyzstan and Oman.
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