Hangzhou, China, October 1, 2023: Defending champions the Republic of Korea cruised into the semi-finals of the Asian Games men’s football tournament on Sunday with a 2-0 win over hosts China, while Hong Kong China pulled off a shock 1-0 victory over the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Poon Pui Hin scored two minutes into the second half to ensure Jorn Andersen’s side progressed at the expense of the four-times gold medal winners as the Chinese territory secured a spot in the semi-finals for the first time.
The Kitchee winger stunned the Iranians when he netted with a side-footed volley after Matt Orr’s header. Andersen’s team will now take on Japan on Wednesday after the 2018 silver medallists won 2-1 against DPR Korea.
The Republic of Korea will meet Uzbekistan in the other semi-final following the Central Asians’ 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia.
A crowd of more than 38,000 turned out at the Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium on China’s National Day to cheer on the hosts but they were silenced in the 18th minute when Hong Hyun-seok stroked his curling left-foot free kick into the top corner.
Hwang Sun-hong’s side doubled their advantage with 10 minutes remaining in the half as Cho Young-wook outstripped the Chinese defence down the right flank to send in a low centre and Song Min-kyu scored from close range.
“Our players gave their all in today’s match,” said Hwang. “All the players did very well and, after we scored the first goal, we had a tremendous sense of security. We have two more matches to go to win the championship and we’ll get prepared for those.”
The Go Oiwa-coached Japanese advanced when Yuta Matsumura’s 80th minute penalty sealed their victory after Kotaro Uchino’s opener five minutes into the second half had been cancelled out by DPR Korea’s Kim Kuk Bom.
Uzbekistan will be appearing in the semi-finals for the first time since winning the gold medal on their debut Asian Games appearance at Hiroshima in 1994 with a hard-fought victory over Saudi Arabia.
Saidazamat Mirsaidov put Uzbekistan in front in the 24th minute before Alisher Odilov hit his side’s all-important second a minute before half time, scoring into an empty net from distance after rounding goalkeeper Ahmed Al Jubaya.
Mohammed Marran fired into the roof of the net from close range to pull one back for the Saudis with a quarter of the game remaining but Abdullah Radif’s late sending off for a second bookable offence ended hopes of taking the game into extra time.