South Korea seal revenge amid star’s costly brainfades as Socceroos crash out of Asian Cup

Tottenham star Son Hueng-min has ended the Socceroos’ dreams of Asian Cup glory with a superb quarter-final display for South Korea.

The Taegeuk Warriors advanced to a semi-final date with Jordan with a 2-1 win at Al Janoub Stadium.

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However, for so long it seemed that it was going to be the Australians reaching the tournament’s last four after winger Craig Goodwin, who had been recalled to the starting side, had given the Socceroos the lead in the 42nd minute.

Australia had several second-half chances to increase their lead but they were wasted by Martin Boyle and Mitch Duke.

And those blown opportunities would come back to haunt the Socceroos, who were just minutes away from winning the game when South Korea’s talisman Son enticed substitute Lewis Miller into needlessly fouling him and giving away a penalty.

Despite Miller’s protests, Omani referee Ahmed Al-Kaf’s decision to award the spot kick wasn’t overturned by the VAR, with Hwang Hee-chan converting the penalty to send the contest into extra-time.

And it was another Miller foul that led to Son scoring the match-winning goal with a sublime free-kick that was too good for Socceroos goalkeeper and captain Mat Ryan in the 104th minute.

Rubbing further salt into the Socceroos wounds was a red card shown to substitute Aiden O’Neill a few minutes later for a foul on Hwang.

Referee Al-Kaf initially gave O’Neill a yellow card, but changed the colour to red – and an instant dismissal – after