DPA/Sydney


Iraq will continue their run at the Asian Cup as underdogs when they face South Korea in the semi-finals Monday, but the side can draw on a famous victory from 2007 for inspiration.
The South Koreans on the other hand continue their search for a first title since 1960 and a first appearance in the final for 27 years.
The match will take place in the 84,000-capacity Stadium Australia. Both teams have been backed by large numbers so far and the fans are set to turn out again. Iraq’s followers will hope for a repeat of the 2007 semi-final when Iraq defeated South Korea on penalties and then went on to lift the trophy.
“Korea are a very strong team and a good team,” Iraq captain Younus Mahmood said. “But my memory is going back to the 2007 Asian Cup when we played them in the semi-final. I hope 2007 can happen again.”
Iraq have been dealt a blow as influential midfielder Yaser Kasim is suspended, having collected another booking in the semi-final win over Iran.
That was a grueling battle for 120 minutes and penalty kicks, and the players are well aware of what football means to their troubled country. The win over Iran was greeted by wild celebrations in Baghdad and they are not lacking motivation for South Korea.
“Our country needs the win,” defender Dhurgham Ismail said. “The next match is a very important match and we’re there to bring happiness to our country.”
South Korea are also a country under pressure in football terms, with the team’s followers back home desperate for success after a long drought in the competition.
“If you haven’t won for 55 years, then we think it’s the time to go for this Cup,” coach Uli Stielike said before the tournament started. “This is our potential and what we are working for, this is what everybody who is in this group is working towards and at least we have to br ing the performance.” So far, their performances have been steady if unspectacular. But crucially, they have been getting stronger as the tournament progressed and the side have yet to concede a goal in more than six hours of play.
“I think we can discuss a lot about our technical quality,” Stielike said after the 2-0 extra-time win over Uzbekistan. “In the first half, we missed a lot of passes and chances. About the technical quality we can discuss, no doubt about it.
“What we cannot enter into discussion about is the mentality, the sacrifice of our boys. I am not sure that a lot of teams after three games and with two of their best players out of the competition like us (could compete).
“A lot of teams would lose their mentality if you take two leaders out of their group.”
The players Stielike refered to are Mainz’s Koo Ja Cheol and Lee Chung Yong of Bolton, who both had to return home with injuries during the group stage.
The squad also had to cope with a bout of illness which laid low Bayer Leverkusen’s Son Heung Min among others.
But Son recovered to score both goals against Uzbekistan and the Bundesliga star is sure to be key as South Korea look to reach a first final since 1988.

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