South Korea beat Portugal to squeeze into the knockout stage

DOHA. — South Korea’s Hwang Hee-chan scored in added time to snatch a 2-1 comeback win over Portugal yesterday but they then faced an agonising 10 minute wait on the pitch before discovering it was enough to send them into the World Cup last 16 on goals scored. Having started the day bottom of Group H, Korea looked to be going out with a whimper as they trailed already-qualified Portugal 1-0, with Uruguay leading Ghana 2-0 half an hour into their game.

But when Kim Young-gwon levelled after 27 minutes they knew one more goal could be enough — providing Uruguay did not extend their lead.

It came when talisman Son Heung-min broke from a Portugal corner and slipped a perfect passto Hwang who fired past Diogo Costa to spark wild celebrations.

However, the other game had started its second half seven minutes later, leaving the Korean players and staff in a centre circle huddle, watching the action unfold across the city on mobile phones.

Another goal would have put the South Americans through but, though they piled forward, it did not materialise and the Koreans exploded in joy at having reached the knockout phase for the first time since 2010 — when they lost to Uruguay.

ortugal top the final standings on six points. South Korea and Uruguay have four points with the same goal difference but Korea went through to the knockout stage by virtue of scoring four goals to the two of Uruguay, who before Friday were the only team in the tournament not to have scored.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment a long time and I believed we could get it done,” said Son, appearing in his third World Cup.

“I have not been doing a good job as their captain, but my team mates have covered my back. I am so thankful for them and so proud of them. “They never gave up and made sacrifices for the team.”

Goalscorer Hwang said: “I was convinced he would pass me the ball. It was an excellent pass and it made my job much easier.

“It was difficult waiting for the Uruguay-Ghana result but we proved we could make the knockout phase. I would like to share these great feelings with the people back home. NERVE-SHREDDING DRAMA

The turnaround marked a third successive World Cup night of nerve-shredding drama and also made it the first time three Asian Confederation teams have made the last 16 with Japan and Australia also through. — supersport.