Jordan-South Korea is a match in the semifinals of the Asian Cup and is played Tuesday at 4 p.m.: free streaming, likely lineups, predictions.
Jurgen Klinsmann, despite the criticism that has rained down on him in recent weeks, managed to bring South Korea, which had not made it to the top four since the 2015 edition, back to the semifinals of the Asian Cup. The German head coach, who has repeatedly come under the crosshairs of the press and fans because of certain call-ups as well as the lack of consideration for the South Korean league, has taken his personal revenge for the moment, despite the fact that his selection’s path has been much more circuitous than expected.
South Korea, in fact, landed in the semifinals in a rather rocambolic manner. Decisive were the goals scored in the final minutes, by now a real peculiarity of the Asian Tigers: five of the last six goals scored by Klinsmann’s men have come from the 80th minute onwards and very often in the midst of recovery. Son and his teammates had not particularly shined already during the group stage, finishing second on 5 points behind the not irresistible Barhein (one win and two draws). Blame, mainly, for the lack of balance between the two phases of the game: South Korea finds the way of goal with great ease (8 those scored in the first three games) but suffers in the non-possession phase, and it is no coincidence that so far they have never managed to keep their goal unbroken.
South Korea “on fire” in the dying minutes
Against Australia, in the quarters, it avoided defeat thanks to Hwang’s (Wolverhampton striker) goal in 6′ of added time, then popping up in extra time.
Against Roberto Mancini’s Saudi Arabia, however, it had prevailed only on penalties after retaking the opponents at the last gasp (9′ of recovery). In the semifinals it will face surprising Jordan, which had never before this edition made it this far in an Asian Cup finals. A selection that South Korea had already clashed with in the round, drawing 2-2 (the equalizing goal, as it happens, scored in 91′). Jordan’s is the classic “fairy tale”: after a miraculous comeback with Iraq in the round of 16, the men led by Moroccan Houcine Ammouta won by a narrow margin over Tajikistan thanks to an own goal.
The Prediction
Jordan’s adventure, which achieved a real feat by landing in the semifinals, should come to a halt against South Korea. In the round it was a closer challenge than expected, but in the long run the greater quality of Klinsmann’s men will prove decisive. At least three goals overall: the second half will most likely be more prolific than the first.
Jordan-South Korea
probable lineups.
JORDAN (3-4-2-1): Aby Laila; Nasib, Al-Arab, Al-Ajalin; Haddad, Ayed, Sadeh, Al-Mardi; Al-Taamari, Olwan; Al-Naimat.
SOUTH KOREA (4-2-3-1): Jo Hyeon-woo; Kim Tae-hwan, Kim Min-jae, Kim Young-gwon, Seol Young-woo; Park Jin-seob, Hwang In-beom; Lee Kang-in, Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan; Cho Gue-sung.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
