Almotamar.net Times online - Iraq reached its first Asian Cup final by winning a penalty shootout 4-3 over South Korea in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
Neither side was able to break the deadlock during 90 minutes and extra time and with the shootout level at 3-3 Noor Sabri, the Iraqi goalkeeper, tipped Yeom Ki-hun’s left-foot shot around the right post to give his side the edge.
After Iraq converted its fourth penalty, Kim Jung-woo had to convert to keep the contest alive, but his shot hit the right-hand post, prompting the Iraqis to swamp Sabri in celebration.
With their unlikely run through the tournament drawing wide attention and causing rare joy in their war-torn homeland, the Iraqis go into Sunday’s final as sentimental favorites. They will meet the winner of Wednesday’s later match between defending champion Japan and Saudi Arabia.
The South Koreans had progressed to the last four via another shootout, having beaten Iran, three-times champions, 4-2 in Sunday’s quarterfinal.
Iraq had the best chance to win the game in open play when Hawar Mulla’s shot from Lee Woon-jae’s fingertip save in the first period of extra-time hit the post and Kim Jin-kyu cleared the rebound off the line.