Saudi Arabia dominated much of the final 16 games of the Asian Cup, but it was South Korea that emerged victorious on penalties.

Education City Stadium, Qatar – For thousands of Saudi Arabian fans, whose team lost on penalties against South Korea in the round of 16 and were eliminated from the tournament, it was so close and yet so far AFC Asian Cup 2023.

South Korea booked a quarter-final date against Australia as their tenacious performance convinced them Win 4-2 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 after extra time at Education City Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Saudi Arabia dominated the game for much of regular time and were 1-0 up until the end of stoppage time, but ultimately could not withstand the relentless South Korean attacks on their goal.

Cho Gue-Sung scored the equalizer in the ninth minute of added time to the delight of the few hundred South Korean fans in the 42,000 spectators. He later converted his team’s third penalty, putting them just one penalty away from a famous comeback win.

Hwang Hee-chan made no mistake and sparked wild cheers in the Korean camp.

The atmosphere and support was always biased in favor of the Green Falcons, whose supporters crossed Qatar’s only land border to make their presence felt in the country and in the stadium.

They sang and danced outside the venue before kick-off and occupied most of the seats inside during the game.

The first half ended goalless, but Saudi Arabia showed that they would win the game against South Korea.

When play resumed, fans barely had time to settle into their seats before Abdullah Radif came on and scored for Saudi Arabia. While the Green Falcon’s army of fans went wild in front of the goal, Radif brought the crowd to its knees when he fired past the South Korean goalkeeper.

Saudi Arabia kept up the pace on and off the pitch for the next half hour, but then they began to run out of steam. South Korea’s substitutes took advantage and kept the pressure on Saudi Arabia’s goal.

The ball barely left the Saudi half in the final ten minutes, but aided by the noise of their fans and the heroics of their goalkeepers, the men in green somehow held on to their narrow lead until injury time.

Every time a Korean player touched the ball, the boos were so loud they could probably be heard as far away as Riyadh. Saudi Arabia’s fans, some of whom had already purchased tickets for their team’s expected quarterfinals and semifinals, were in no mood to return home.

But as soon as Cho’s strike hit Saudi Arabia’s goal, the supporters fell silent and sank into their seats. It was as if they knew their best chance had been lost at their hands.

“Our team often dominates games but then lets everything go because they run out of energy towards the end,” Saudi Arabia fan Faisal Al Muatiri told Al Jazeera after the game.

“It’s becoming more and more familiar for us and the new coach has to do something about it,” he said, referring to Roberto Mancini.

Both teams created chances in extra time and Saudi Arabia almost secured victory with a dramatic goal in front of their fans in the second half of extra time, but that was to be nothing.

South Korean fans’ confidence grew as the game ended in a penalty shootout.

“Our team has the experience and confidence to make strong comebacks,” South Korea fan Darren Lim said after the win.

She then paused to wave and say “goodnight” to heartbroken Saudi supporters.

The Green Flacons will regret not being able to maintain their lead when they fly home.

And the Taegeuk Warriors live to battle the Socceroos on Friday.