Aoba Tanaka 
In a thrilling Asian Cup quarter-final clash, Son Heung-min emerged as the savior for South Korea, securing their spot in the semi-finals with a stunning extra-time free-kick against Australia. The intense encounter saw Australia in the lead with Craig Goodwin’s volley, seemingly heading for victory.
However, a dramatic turn of events unfolded in the 96th minute when Son was fouled by Lewis Miller, leading to Hwang Hee-chan’s successful penalty, leveling the score. The momentum shifted in extra time, and Tottenham’s Son showcased his brilliance by curling a free-kick past Mat Ryan, securing South Korea’s triumph.
Australia’s woes compounded as Aiden O’Neill received a red card, leaving them with 10 men. The victory not only propels South Korea to the semi-finals but also provides relief for manager Jurgen Klinsmann, who has faced scrutiny from fans.
South Korea, aiming to repeat their Asian Cup success from 1960, demonstrated resilience, having survived a scare in the previous round against Saudi Arabia. They now face Jordan in the semi-final on Tuesday, with hopes of advancing to the coveted final.
In another historic moment, Jordan secured their first-ever semi-final berth by defeating Tajikistan 1-0. The Asian Cup’s quarter-finals continue with Iran facing Japan and hosts Qatar taking on Uzbekistan on Saturday. Football enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating more action-packed encounters as the tournament progresses.
