Midfield control helped us win: Cho

AFC – DOHA, Korea Republic boss Cho Kwang-rae hailed the resilience of his players after the Taeguk Warriors battled to a 1-0 extra time victory over long-time AFC Asian Cup rivals Iran on Saturday to book their place in the semi-finals.

Just as when they met at the same stage of the continental tournament four years ago, the two sides could not be separated inside 90 minutes meaning extra time was once again needed.

However, the Koreans finally got the crucial goal towards the end of the first period of extra time when substitute Yoon Bit-garam went unchallenged on the edge of the area and the midfielder delivered a sweetly struck shot into the back of the net.

The East Asians then defended resolutely as Iran pressed for an equaliser and Cho was delighted that his players gave their all right up to the final whistle, even when tiredness started to take its toll.

“The Iranian team’s defensive organisation was very strong, especially in the middle where they were very compact and highly organised,” he said.

“I believe not many teams can score goals against them and if you see figures of their previous matches this is proven.

“To win this game with a clean sheet is the greatest thing a coach can get. In general the defence was successful tonight and in that respect I was satisfied.

“Regarding the tiredness of the players, it can happen in these tournaments but the most important thing is that the players held on until the end of the game and that was the key factor for me.

“All the players have worked really hard in all four games to show the possibilities of Korean football and the changes we are trying to implement. They have a strong will to make things happen.”

But it was not just the defensive performance of his side that satisfied Cho, but also the fact they never let the Iranians gain the upper hand in the midfield battle.

“The Iranian team are beyond the level of Asian football,” he added. “They are a good team and had good performances in each game.

“But the main reason we won this is because we controlled midfield, so we did not let them play their own game.”

Next up for Korea Republic is a mouth-watering semi-final meeting with regional rivals Japan on Tuesday, a match Cho believes will be his side’s most testing yet.

“The next match against Japan is one of the most crucial matches we are going to play,” he said.
“I agree that Japan have been getting better and better throughout the tournament in every aspect of their game.

“But I never get scared about the Japanese team, even when I was a player and as a coach, so I am not afraid of them.”