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January 17, 2019

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Son sparks South Korea past China

Source: AFP | 00:05 UTC+8 January 17, 2019 | Print Edition

An effervescent Son Heung-min inspired title-chasing South Korea to a comfortable 2-0 victory over China yesterday to finish top of its Asian Cup group.

Hwang Ui-jo and Kim Min-jae were on target as the Koreans, boosted by the arrival of their talisman, ran China ragged in Abu Dhabi.

Son won the penalty converted by Hwang and fizzed in the assist for Kim to spark South Korea, which finished top of Group C with a perfect nine points as it looks to end 59 years of Asian Cup hurt.

Marcello Lippi’s Chinese side finished as group runner-up having likewise already sealed its place in the last 16 by winning its first two matches.

Korean captain Son surprisingly started — and completed 87 minutes — despite a punishing run of 13 games for Tottenham Hotspur since the start of December. The mercurial forward, who played in the London club’s 0-1 defeat by Manchester United three days ago, showed quick feet to tempt China defender Shi Ke into a rash challenge 12 minutes in.

Hwang calmly tucked away the spot-kick to send thousands of Korean “Red Devils” fans wild at the compact al-Nahyan Stadium.

South Korea, which beat Asian Cup first-timer Philippines and Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in its opening two games, went for the jugular.

A Hwang Hee-chan rocket forced China goalkeeper Yan Junling into a fingertip save before Hwang Ui-jo curled an effort against the post.

The Koreans, joint title favorites with Iran, doubled their lead six minutes after the break when Son’s corner was met by Kim’s thumping header.

South Korea, which famously reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2002, has failed to win the Asian Cup since winning back-to-back titles in 1956 and 1960.

It has been a finalist on four subsequent occasions, including in 2015 when it was beaten in extra time by host Australia.

But Son’s inclusion has clearly energized the Taeguk Warriors, who suddenly look a very different proposition.

China, Asian Cup runner-up in 1984 and 2004, began the competition by edging Kyrgyzstan 2-1 and overpowering the Philippines 3-0.

But it was no match for South Korea and was lucky not to concede further goals in a lopsided game.

Elsewhere in Group C, a Vitalij Lux hat-trick sent Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Philippines crashing out and gave Kyrgyzstan hope of progressing as one of the best third-placed teams in a 3-1 victory.

German-based Lux struck once in the first half and twice in the second in Dubai before the Philippines grabbed a consolation goal through Stephan Schrock with 10 minutes to go.

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