Korea emerged victorious in the round of 16 after a soccer match against Saudi Arabia.

However, neither team Korea nor Saudi Arabia scored in the first half.

During the first half, Korea displayed frustrating gameplay, struggling to take possession of the ball from Saudi players.

Even when they managed to secure the ball, their attempts to connect with the front line through long passes from counterattack opportunities lacked accuracy.

Saudi Arabia maintained a slightly higher ball occupancy rate of 49-51%.

The first half finished with no goals from both teams.

However, less than a minute into the second half, Radif, who was deployed in the second half, scored a goal, giving Saudi Arabia the lead.

After Saudi Arabia’s opening goal, they exhibited amazing gameplay, and Radif almost scored another goal.

Korea persistently sought opportunities to score against Saudi Arabia, but their shots were either blocked by goalkeeper Ahmed Ali Al-Kassar or the opposing defenders.

Saudi Arabia tried to control the score by resorting to falling and dragging their feet in case of collisions, but this unexpectedly presented an opportunity for Korea.

This led to an additional 10 minutes of extra time.

In the 9th minute of extra time in the second half, Kim Tae-hwan's cross from the right was floated by Seol Young-woo from the left side of the net, and Cho Kyu-sung finished with a header right in front of the goal.

This equalizer gave a chance for Korea to advance to the quarter-finals.

Following Korea’s goal, the match entered into overtime.

South Korea constantly targeted the Saudi camp during this period.

In the 3rd minute of the first half of overtime,Hwang Hee-chan tried to catch a pass from Lee Kang-in, leading to Cho Kyu-sung passing to Hong Hyun-seok.

Hong hesitated and eventually gave it back to Son Heung-min, who missed a crucial opportunity to secure the victory.

The game then proceeded to a penalty shootout after the conclusion of overtime.

The first two kickers of South Korea were Son Heung-min and Kim Young-kwon, and they easily scored.

Saudi Arabia’s first two kickers, Saud Abdulhamid and Mohamed Kanno, also successfully scored.

However, South Korean goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo displayed remarkable saves.

Cho Hyun-woo’s excellent goalkeeping skills continued as he caught Saudi’s number 3 kicker Sami Al-Najay’s left-kicked ball.

Cho also blocked Saudi’s No. 4 kicker Abdulrahame Grahim's left shot.

With Cho Hyun-woo’s solid defense and goals from King Young-kwon, Cho Kyu-sung, and Hwang Hee-chan, South Korea secured victory.

South Korea advanced to the quarterfinals of the Qatar Asian Cup 2023.

HyoJung Lee

Grade 9

St.Johnsbury Academy Jeju