WHO: Jordan vs. South Korea
What: 2023 AFC Asian Cup semi-finals
When: Tuesday, February 5, 2024, 6 p.m. (15:00 GMT)
Where: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al-Rayyan, Qatar

After a thrilling 2-2 draw in the group stage, South Korea and Jordan will meet again in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup in Qatar.

Both teams are prepared to go the distance with overtime and penalties if necessary, their coaches said on Monday.

Although Hussein Ammouta’s Jordan reached the semi-finals with victories over Iraq and debutants Tajikistan in regular time, South Korea had a tough route to the semi-finals against Asian heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Australia.

Jürgen Klinsmann’s side needed a penalty shootout to beat Saudi Arabia before forcing extra time in the quarter-final against Australia. Both times she played 120 minutes compared to a rested Jordan.

“The willingness to suffer, to go to the end if necessary – 120 minutes, penalties – we are prepared for that,” Klinsmann said before the game.

“There are many, many factors that are important to go far in the tournament and we have prepared well. We started in Seoul on December 26th to build up our fitness and now only have two injuries. We are extremely hungry.

“It’s the physical and mental side, but it’s also the spirit of the group. It’s a marathon and we’re nearing the end of the marathon. Hopefully we can win everything.”

The #AsianCup2023 SEMIFINALISTS!

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“We will have to fight”

South Korea advanced after forcing extra time with injury-time goals in both knockout games, and Ammouta praised their resilience.

“It is true that South Korea has great potential in terms of mental, technical and tactical preparation. We have seen this in different games – the control, the possession and the quick movement of the ball,” he said.

“I hope we got to the point to put in a good performance, especially in the last few minutes of the game. Saudi Arabia and Australia were ahead and made mistakes at the end.

“Our focus has to be strong and that will be tiring. This is necessary, we will have to fight.”

Ammouta added that fatigue might not be a factor in Tuesday’s semifinal as South Korea showed in two consecutive games how well they can cope with extra time.

“Even though we played 120 minutes twice, everyone knows the value of South Korea on an individual and collective level. “If they have played 120 minutes, they are in good shape,” said the Morocco-born coach.

“They are professional players; You can easily recover physically and mentally within 48 hours. I don’t think playing 120 minutes will make a difference.”

While Jordan contests its first semi-final, South Korea aims to advance and end a 64-year Asian Cup trophy drought.

Klinsmann, who has won several international titles as a player and coach, had some simple advice for his players.

“Just stay relaxed, look forward to it, delete all the things that aren’t important right now,” said the German.

“This group of players are experienced, they are so motivated. They are so confident that they just want to get to the final and prove themselves.”

head to head

This will be only the sixth meeting between the two teams in a game that dates back only 20 years.

Jordan is yet to record a win against South Korea, but has suffered two defeats.

The first meeting was at the 2004 Asian Cup and ended in a 0-0 draw in the group stage.

The teams also battled in the group stage to qualify for the 2008 World Cup, where Jordan secured a 2-2 draw in South Korea before losing 1-0 on home soil.

The Koreans also secured a 1-0 win in a friendly in 2014 before having to wait ten years for their last group stage meeting.

Form

Jordan has already lost once in the tournament, losing to Bahrain in the group stage. However, they have three wins to South Korea’s two. The last two wins came within 90 minutes, with the Koreans needing extra time in their previous two knockout games.

Jordan: WDLWW

South Korea: WDDDW

Jordan team news

Hamza Al-Dardour returns from suspension after quarter-final win against Tajikistan.

Yazan Al-Naimat will take the lead again after scoring twice in the tournament – including once against South Korea in the group stage.

Probable XI: Yazeed Abu Laila, Ehsan Haddad, Mahmoud Al Mardi, Salem Al Ajalin, Yazan Al-Arab, Abdallah Nasib, Raja’ei Ayed, Noor Al-Rawabdeh, Yazan Al Naimat, Mousa Tamari, Ali Olwan

News about the South Korean team

South Korea has no new injury concerns but has played 120 minutes in the last two games.

Hwang Hee-chan only made his first tournament start in the last game, so his fitness will be assessed.

Lee Jae-sung has been touted as an option to freshen up Cho Gue-sung’s legs in attack.

Probable XI: Jo Hyeon-woo, Kim Tae-hwan, Kim Min-jae, Kim Young-gwon, Seol Young-woo, Park Yong-woo, Hwang In-beom, Lee Kang-in, Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan, Cho Gue-sung