SEOUL, South Korea salvaged a 2-2 draw against Jordan in their second Group E match at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup on Saturday in Qatar, rescued by their opponent’s own goal during stoppage time.

South Korea, world No. 23, were minutes from suffering a stunning defeat at the hands of 87th-ranked Jordan, before Hwang In-beom’s shot went in off defender Yazan Al-Arab for the equalizer in the early moments of added time.

South Korea built a 1-0 lead thanks to Son Heung-min’s ninth-minute penalty, but Park Yong-woo’s own goal knotted the score at 1-1 in the 37th minute. Then during first-half stoppage time, Al-Arab scored the go-ahead goal for Jordan, though he ended up being the culprit for the match-tying goal later.

The draw snapped South Korea’s winning streak at seven.

“It was a very, very intense game, which we expected,” South Korea head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. “After we got the lead with Sonny’s penalty, we were too slow. We were not physical enough. We lost one-on-one battl
es on the field, and that gave them a lot of energy. They basically turned the result around. They played with a lot of energy. Got to give them a lot of credit.”

Klinsmann said the second half was “much better” for South Korea.

“We were in control. We created enough chances to win this game,” he said. “Still, a tie is fine at the end of the day.”

Jordan stayed atop Group E with four points. South Korea also have four points but trail Jordan in goal difference, +4 to +2. Bahrain and Malaysia, both winless in Group E, were scheduled to play each other later Saturday.

South Korea are trying to win their first AFC Asian Cup title since 1960. They will close out the group stage against Malaysia in Al Wakrah, south of Doha, on Thursday.

South Korea didn’t change any outfield players from their opening win over Bahrain on Monday but had a new goalkeeper in Jo Hyeon-woo. Kim Seung-gyu, who’d started against Bahrain, suffered a torn ligament in his right knee during a training session Thursday and was ruled out
for the rest of the tournament.

Son put South Korea on the board by converting his own penalty in the ninth minute for his first goal of this competition.

After taking a nifty through ball from Hwang In-beom, Son was brought down by defender Ehsan Haddad in the box. Referee Salman Ahmad Falahi didn’t initially call a penalty on the play, but following a lengthy video review, South Korea were awarded the spot kick.

Son stepped up and fired the ball into the center of the goal, as goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila dove to his left.

It provided a measure of redemption for Son, who had been off target against Bahrain and picked up a yellow card for diving in the box in an ill-advised attempt to draw a penalty.

Jo made his presence felt with his first save of the match in the 21st minute, turning aside a left-footed attempt from Mousa Al-Tamari.

But Jordan gradually assumed control of the match, using their physicality and speed to find their way into the Korean box.

Jordan equalized in the 37th minute when Park Y
ong-woo tried to clear away a corner but instead headed it into his own net.

Jordan then grabbed a 2-1 lead during first-half stoppage time, taking advantage of a flustered South Korean backline.

Mousa Al-Tamari danced into the box and fired a left-footed shot that was blocked by center back Jung Seung-hyun. The rebound bounced right back to Yazan Al-Naimat, who was left untouched as he unleashed a right-footed shot with five South Korean players standing around and watching helplessly.

South Korea had a chance to equalize just moments later, but Cho Gue-sung rushed his volley and bounced it over the net, after a rebound off a Lee Ki-je shot found him all alone in the goalmouth.

Klinsmann made two substitutions to start the second half, with Hong Hyun-seok replacing Park Yong-woo in midfield and Kim Tae-hwan taking over from Lee Ki-je on defense.

South Korea had some momentum in the early moments after the restart, though their effort didn’t pay off. Lee Kang-in had a decent look at the net in the 67th m
inute but sent a left-footed shot right at Abulaila.

South Korea made two more changes on offense in the 69th minute, with Oh Hyeon-gyu coming on for Cho Gue-sung in the striker position and Jeong Woo-yeong replacing Lee Jae-sung on the wing.

Those subs didn’t make a difference either, even though South Korea continued to maintain a major advantage in ball possession.

It took a fine diving stop by Jo on Nizar Al-Rashdan in the 73rd minute to keep it a one-goal affair.

At the other end, Abulaila also shined with a big stop nine minutes later, denying Lee Kang-in on a left-footed shot.

Moments after an 11-minute stoppage time was announced, South Korea pulled even. Son found Hwang all alone just inside the box, and the midfielder’s left-footed attempt ricocheted off Al-Arab and rolled into the Jordan net.

Hong wasted a golden opportunity to deliver the dramatic go-ahead marker eight minutes later, when his shot from close range hit the left side of the net.

Son said afterward South Korea have to be sharp
er on the defensive end.

“We gave up goals because of our own mistakes, and I told the team that we have to be better in that regard,” Son said. “I also said we would have enough space and have our chances to score eventually. Fortunately, we were able to get the equalizer at the end.”

Hwang, who helped create the game-tying own goal, also said he was happy to take home the one point.

“I think this should have a positive impact on the rest of the team,” Hwang said. “We’ll try to recover and prepare for the next match, and make sure we have a good result on our way to the knockout stage.”

Source: Yonhap News Agency