New Delhi: War-ravaged Iraq has something to cheer about after their football team upset fancied South Korea in the semi-final at Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday to reach the Asian Cup final. It's the first time Iraq have entered the final of this tournament.
Iraq won 4-3 in the penalty shootout, after the two sides were locked goalless at the end of extra time. Both sides got the first three penalties right, before Iraqi goalkeeper Noor Sabri saved Korea's fourth spot-kick that was taken by Yeom Ki-hun.
And victory was sealed, when Kim Jung Woo hit the post with Korea's fifth penalty attempt after Ahmed Menajed had made it 4-3. Iraq will now face Saudi Arabia in Sunday's final. The Saudis defeated Japan 3-2 in the second semi-final.
It was South Korea's second penalty shootout in four days. In the quarter-finals on Sunday they had beaten Iran 4-2 another the game ended goalless after 120 minutes.
Iraq had topped Group A and defeated the fancied Australians. On the other hand Korea came second in Group D behind Saudi Arabia.
The Koreans had last won the Asian Cup in 1960.
In the second semi-final Saudi Arabia beat Japan 3-2 to qualify for their sixth Asian Cup final.
Japan were the favourites against Saudi Arabia but lost in a great thriller in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi.
The island nation had won the tournament in 1992, 2000 and 2004, and beaten Australia on penalties but failed to get past Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia's Brazilian coach Helio Cesar dos Anjos later said that the semi-final was one of the best matches of the tournament.
Saudi Arabia lost the 1992 and 2000 Asian Cup finals to Japan but on Wednesday took their revenge.
The first goal was scored by Saudi skipper Yasser Al Qahtani in the first half but the Japanese equalised through Yuji Nakazawa.
Malek Maaz once again put Saudi Arabia in the lead only to see Yuki Abe eqaulise once again. However, Maaz had the last laugh as he scored once again to set up the title clash with Iraq.
It will be the only the third time that two Middle Eastern countries have made it to the final.
Iran had beaten Kuwait 1-0 in 1976 while Saudi Arabia beat United Arab Emirates on penalties in 1996. Saudi Arabia are aiming to win their fourth Asian Cup after their previous victories in 1984, 1988 and 1996.
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