AFC U17 Asian Cup
With the match having ended 2-2, Korea Republic captain Koo Hyeo-bin emerged their hero after putting away the winning penalty kick in the shootout, with goalkeeper Park Do-hun playing a big role after saving Tajikistan’s second penalty kick.
Korea Republic will face Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals on Thursday.
Both teams came into this showdown in similar form, having amassed six points from their group with two victories and a defeat.
It was Korea Republic who almost gained the upper hand in the first minute, but Tajikistan goalkeeper Abubakr Rahmonqulov was swiftly off his line to deny Park Byeong-chan.
Kim Ye-geon, who began to dictate play from midfield, warmed his boots with a shot that sailed over as the team in black started to stamp their mark.
Midway through the first half, Byeong-chan stung Rahmonqulov’s fingertips with a 30-metre effort which the custodian tipped onto the crossbar.
Tajikistan had their first shot on target at the half-hour mark, but Park Do-hun comfortably gathered Ramazon Bakhtaliev’s effort as the teams went into the break on level terms.
Q-final: Tajikistan v Korea Republic
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Byeong-chan came close again in the 56th minute, side-footing an effort inches wide of the Tajikistan goal as Korea Republic continued in the ascendency.
Korea Republic finally made their breakthrough in the 67th minute when two of their substitutes combined to great effect.
Kim Ji-sung did well to swing in a right wing cross, and Jeong Hyeon-ung stole in front of his marker to find the bottom corner.
Lim Ye-chan thought he had given Korea Republic a second goal with a sweet strike in the 74th minute, but the goal was rescinded upon a VAR review, with the ball having hit Ji-sung’s hand in the build-up.
Tajikistan substitute Abdullo Ibragimzoda proved lively after coming on, and forced Do-hun into a diving save in the 80th minute.
His presence turned the game on its heel, as Tajikistan scored two goals in as many minutes.
The Central Asian side drew level in the 83rd minute through Mukhammad Nazriev, who turned home from close range after great work from Ibragimzoda on the left.
Nazriev turned provider two minutes later with a lovely backheel for Ibragimzoda to rifle home with Do-hun no chance of saving that shot.
But there was late drama as Korea Republic were awarded a penalty six minutes into time added on after a VAR check, and Ji-sung made no mistake from the spot to force the game into a shoot-out.
Do-hun first saved Furqon Rahimzoda’s effort, before Hyeo-bin kept his cool by converting the fifth spot-kick to steer his team into the semis.
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