South Korea and Saudis into semis

ASIAN CUP QUARTER-FINALS
South Korea 0-0 Iran (South Korea win 4-2 on pens AET)
Saudi Arabia 2-1 Uzbekistan

South Korea and Iran fought out a close battle

South Korea beat Iran 4-2 on penalties to reach the Asian Cup semi-finals after a gruelling goalless draw.

Kim Jung-woo scored the winning spot-kick to send the inexperienced Koreans through to meet Iraq at the Bukit Jalil Stadium on Wednesday.

Iran's Mehdi Mahdavikia and Rassoul Khatibi missed their spot-kicks, while Kim Do-heon failed for the Koreans.

Iran used substitute goalkeeper Vahid Taliblou for the shoot-out, replacing Hassan Roudbarian in the 119th minute.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to the semi-finals line-up

However, Pim Verbeek's players had the cooler heads in the shoot-out, sending their more than 4,000 vocal Korean supporters into ecstasy.

The victory avenged Korea's 4-3 quarter-final loss at the hands of Iran at the 2004 Asian Cup in China.

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Saudi Arabia staved off a brave, late fightback by Uzbekistan to set up an Asian Cup semi-final against Japan.

Yasser Al Qahtani gave the Saudis the best possible start by putting them ahead in only the third minute.

And after soaking up heavy pressure, the Saudis went 2-0 up in the 75th minute when Ahmed Al Mousa strode into the box and confidently clipped the ball home.

Uzbekistan grabbed a lifeline when substitute Pavel Solomin pulled one back with eight minutes left but the Saudis held on. It was tough on the former Soviet Republic, who clattered the frame of the goal five times and also had a goal ruled out for offside.

But right at the end, Saudi Arabia had a chance to add to the scoreline when Al Jassam weaved his way into the box but his close-range effort was saved.