S.Korea advances to quarterfinals at Asian Cup

[Photo captured from AFC and Hamburger SV official websites]

The S. Korean national football team won over India last night, January 18, in the final game of Group C which advances the team to the quarterfinals. Australia, also in Group C, advanced last night as well by beating Bahrain. However, S. Korea sits in second place with Australia ahead of them because of Goal Difference.

According to Xsportsnews, S. Korea scored within 6 minutes; Ji Dong-won (Chunnam Dragons) assisted by Koo Ja-Chul (Jeju United) scored first. 3 minutes later, Ji Dong-won's header, Koo Ja-Chul, scored. At the 11th minute, Kwak Tae-hwi fouled in a penalty area and Sunil Chhetri (Sporting Kansas City) successfully scored the penalty kick. After losing this point, S. Korea kept attacking and at the 23rd minute, Ji Dong-won scored his second goal of the game. S. Korea had many shots on target, but could not score more in the first half. In the second half, at the 81st minute, S. Korea's super rookie Son Heung-min (Hamburger SV) scored his A-match debut goal. Hamburger SV celebrated Son's goal on the front page of their website.

S.Korea defeats Bahrain with Koo's double.

22 year-old football star Koo Ja Cheol (Jeju United) scored two goals and helped South Korea advance through Asian Cup with a 2-1 win over Bahrain.


The Asian Cup Group C match between S. Korea and Bahrain took place at Al Gharafa Stadium in Doha, Qatar. S. Korea lead the game with two consecutive goals by Koo, but in the 82nd minute, S. Korean defender Kwak Taehwi fouled against Abdulla Al Dakeel (Al Muharraq) which resulted in a penalty goal for Bahrain. Koo was sent off with a red card, however, Bahrain couldn’t score an equalizer and S. Korea won the game. S. Korea dominated the match and showed a fine play overall.


Edaily reported that Lee Chung-yong (Bolton Wanderers) and Cha Duri (Celtic) produced great chances in the right, and left fullback Lee Young-pyo (Al-Hilal) along with striker Ji Dong-won (Chunnam Dragons) created many good chances. In the middle area, Ki Sung-Yong (Celtic) and Koo Ja Cheol (Jeju United) did a great job helping each other. The S. Korean national football team will advance to the 2nd qualifying round within Group C to play against Australia on the 14th.

Koo Ja Cheol scouted by Russian and Swiss football teams

European football clubs have been scouting Koo Ja Cheol, the 22-year-old Korean football star who is currently playing for Jeju United FC.He received a contract offer from a Russian football club as well as the Swiss football club BSC Young Boys.

According to llgan Sports, the CEO of Koo Ja Cheol’s agency, Choi Wolkyu, said, “There has been an offer from a Russian football club, but we rejected it.We can’t tell you the name of the club, but they are investing a lot of money for team recognition. They offered a better contract than what BSC Young Boys offered, but the Russian team was almost a new team, so it was difficult to negotiate with Jeju United FC.”

BSC Young Boys still wants Koo, and Koo himself wants to play for the Switzerland-based club.However, the player is participating in the Asian Cup as a member of the national team. According to Ilgan Sports, Choi also said, “Since Koo Ja Cheol is focusing on the Asian Cup, it is difficult to discuss the transfer in an earnest manner. If the Korean national football team goes to the quarter and semifinals, he [Koo] would have to stay in Qatar, where the Asian Cup is taking place, and we will discuss the transfer on the phone.”