South Korea and China advance to round of 16, defeating Kyrgyzstan and Philippines

Saturday, 12 January 2019 12:33 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 12 January 2019 12:38 AM ]

South Korea's defender Minjae Kim (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group C football match between Kyrgyzstan and Korea Republic at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 11, 2019. (AFP)

In group C of the 2019 Asian Cup, South Korea edged past Kyrgyzstan 1-0 to join China in the next round. Paulo Bento’s men owned the match, pushing Kyrgyzstan back into defense, but they weren’t able to deliver the final touch.

south Korea's players celebrate after winning the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group C football match between Kyrgyzstan and Korea Republic at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 11, 2019. (AFP)

The only goal of the match came moments before the break, when Kim Min-Jae nutmegged the keeper through a powerful header.

In the other group C fixture, China have reached the knockout stage of the 2019 Asian Cup, after defeating the Philippines 3-0.

China's midfielder Yu Dabao (2nd-R) celebrates his goal during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group C football match between Philippines and China at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 11, 2019. (AFP)

After 40 minutes of play, China set the pace of the match when Wu Lei dinked the ball over the opponent’s keeper from the edge of the box, putting the Dragons in front.

After the hour-mark, Marchello Lippi’s men kept the momentum to add to their lead thanks to a superb volley by Wu Lei. China tripled the lead in the 80th minute, when Yu Dabao capitalized on a loose ball in the box to seal the victory.

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