South Korea will take on Iran in a mouth-watering quarter-final Asian Cup showdown after they dispatched India 4-1 Tuesday, but Australia topped the group to enter the last eight by defeating Bahrain. The Socceroos will likely play reigning champions Iraq, also Saturday, for a place in the semi-finals in Doha.
The current holders need just a point from their final group game against North Korea on Wednesday to make it through. Australia, who were made to work hard for the victory, finish ahead of South Korea thanks to a slightly better goal difference, with Bahrain finishing third and whipping boys India last, without a point and having conceded 13 goals. Australia coach Holger Osieck was content with the win, which came courtesy of a first half strike from Mile Jedinak, but admitted Bahrain made it a hard slog. "Yes it was three points but I'm not sure about it being a decisive win. It was a very tough game and they gave us a hard time. My team had to really fight to the end," he said. "But we won and we topped the group, which is positive for the coming games and I'm very happy we achieved our target of getting to the quarter-finals."
It was heartbreaking for Bahrain, but coach Salman Sharida took positives from the game. "We did our best. This match was a better performance than our last two matches," he said. "We were well organised and managed to reach their penalty area but we wasted many chances. We needed to win but we were playing an experienced team. "However, I am satisfied with what we have done and with what I have achieved in the two months I have been here. The Bahrain team is in good shape."
One of the pre-tournament favourites along with Australia, South Korea's victory against India was never in doubt - the only question was how many times they would score and how soon. In pouring rain, the Koreans established a quick-fire 2-0 lead through Ji Dong-Won and Koo Ja-Cheol before striker Sunil Chhetri brought India back into the game from the penalty spot.
Ji swiftly restored the Koreans two-goal advantage but minnows India's stout defending meant the Koreans had to wait until the 81st minute for Son Heung-Min to score their fourth goal. "The players did a good job against India's compact defensive organisation," said Cho Kwang-Rae, the South Korea coach.
"We created many chances by breaking down their defensive lines. I personally think we have improved throughout the tournament." India's experienced English coach Bob Houghton said: "At least the boys kept going until the end. You can't ask for more than that.
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