South Korea sealed their place in the Asian Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory over Bahrain after extra time in Dubai.
Kim Jin-su s header in the second minute of injury time at the end of the game s first extra period was enough to deny Bahrain a famous win over a side ranked 60 places above them in FIFA s global standings.
Mohamed Al Romaihi had cancelled out a goal from Hwang Hee-chan to force the additional 30 minutes at Rashid Stadium, but Kim Jin-su met Lee Yong s cross to settle a tense last-16 encounter.
South Korea dominated the early possession, but it was a stinging strike from Mohamed Marhoon that threatened to break the deadlock in the opening minutes.
Paulo Bento s side were struggling to find a way through a resilient Bahrain defence, but they finally struck two minutes before half-time, when Hwang Hee-chan side-footed home after goalkeeper Sayed Shubbar Alawi had blocked Lee Yong s cross at the left-hand post.
That first KO-stage goal feelings!
— #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup)
Bahrain remained a sporadic threat on the break and it took a fine one-handed save from Kim Seung-gyu to keep out Jamal Rashed s curling strike, but they drew level with 14 minutes to go, Al Romaihi firing high into the net after Hong Chul blocked Mahdi Alhumaidan s goalbound effort into his path.
Hwang Ui-jo was gifted a chance to win the match in injury time after Waleed Al Hayam s error, but he scuffed his effort wide of the right-hand post with only the goalkeeper to beat.
An emotional Alawi was taken off on a stretcher in the first half of extra time, having failed to recover from an injury sustained while taking a goal kick, and replacement Abdulkarim Fardan could do nothing to stop Kim Jin-su securing a place in the last eight.
What does it mean? South Korea march on despite failing to sparkle
The 2-1 defeat to Australia in the 2015 final was the last time South Korea conceded a goal at the Asian Cup, and their defence again looked reasonably resolute until Al Romaihi s shock leveller.
That said, this was not a particularly inspired performance, especially in attack, where Son seemed to become isolated as a roving number 10. They may need more from their star man in the last eight.
This was only Bahrain s second appearance in the knockouts in the last six tournaments, but they can be proud of the performance they delivered, even if they fell just short.
Al Hayam a powerhouse
Goalkeeper Alawi may have had a much busier outing were it not for centre-back Al Hayam, who made more clearances (12) than any other player on the pitch. He deserved to see Hwang Ui-jo spurn a late chance in normal time that came from his error.
Son fails to shine
Expectations were high on Tottenham star Son Heung-min ahead of his second outing of the tournament, but he looked a long way from his explosive best in a tepid South Korean attack.
What s next?
South Korea will meet the winner of the match between Qatar and Iraq later on Tuesday. The quarter-final will take place at Zayed Sports City Stadium on Friday.
