KSA 0-2 KOR: Koreans go two points clear

South Korea had not beaten Saudi Arabia in a competitive match since 1989 but capitalised fully on the 58th minute dismissal of striker Naif Hazazi.

Lee Keun-ho scrambled home the opening goal with 13 minutes remaining before substitute Park Chu-young curled home a superb strike in stoppage time as Korea took advantage of Iran’s 1-1 draw with the United Arab Emirates.

Mohammed Al Shlhoub saw a fifth minute header cleared off the line by Lee Young-pyo, who then turned Fisal bin Sultan’s point-blank follow-up away.

Kang Min-soo made a brilliant tackle to deny Bin Sultan as he bore down on the Korean goal before Osama Al Harb headed over from the resulting corner with the goal at his mercy.

At the other end, a brilliant long ball by Lee Chung-yong found Lee Keun-ho but his first-time effort was well stopped by goalkeeper Waleed Ali.

Korea nearly made the breakthrough a minute after the break as Lee Keun-ho’s shot was stopped by Ali, who then reacted to claw away Jeong Shung-hoon’s attempt.

But just before the hour mark the match turned in Korea’s favour as Hazazi dramatically fell to the ground inside the area after touching the ball past goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae following Abdoh Autef’s clever pass.

Singapore referee Abdul Malik Bashir was not fooled and brandished the striker’s second yellow card of the game.

With their numerical advantage Korea went close to an opener as Ki Sung-yueng headed over before captain Park Ji-sung ran through the Saudi defence and fired narrowly wide.

But with 17 minutes remaining Khaled Aziz allowed a cross from the right by Lee Young-pyo to sail over his head to an unmarked Park Ji-sung.

The Korea skipper squared the ball for Lee Keun-ho, who mis-kicked but eventually netted at the second attempt.

Striker Malek Maaz was brought on by Saudi Arabia in an attempt to salvage a point and the substitution very nearly paid dividends a minute from time as he surged through the Korea defence before firing just wide.

As the game entered stoppage time, Park Chu-young sealed the win as he had time and space on the edge of the Saudi Arabia to pick his spot with a superb curling shot.