Doha, Feb 3 (IANS) Captain Son Heung-min won a stoppage-time penalty and scored an extra-time free-kick on Friday night to propel South Korea to the AFC Asian Cup semifinals following a 2-1 comeback victory over Australia.

The two-time winners of the tournament, moving a step closer to reclaiming the continental title for the first time since 1960, will face Jordan in a last-four clash on Tuesday.

“I want them to experience what it would mean to get to the end of a tournament, all the way to the end and to play for the trophy,” South Korea head coach Jurgen Klinsmann from Germany said before the match.

Klinsmann’s encouragement for his side was well responded in the thrilling quarterfinal against Australia, the champions in the 2015 edition.

On a windy and a little cold night at Al Janoub Stadium in Doha, the Socceroos started the game well with full energy and fluent transition from defense to attack.

Craig Goodwin, the left winger in a 4-3-3 formation, grabbed possession on the edge of the area after a misplaced pass from the opponent, and smashed a left foot volley for the opener in the 42nd minute following good combination with Nathaniel Atkinson.

South Korea pushed even higher after the break but failed to net an equalizer after a bunch of crosses, as the towering center-back Harry Souttar led a solid defense in the area.

Facing elimination, Son Heung-min, the star forward for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, stepped up to save South Korea.

His resolute burst six minutes into injury time led to Lewis Miller’s foul in the area.

Hwang Hee-chan, the striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, thumped the spot-kick past Australian keeper Mathew Ryan, dragging the quarterfinal game into the extra time.

The 31-year-old Son again proved the value of the ace star.

Son curled a trademark free-kick over the Australian wall in the first half of the extra time, sending Klinsmann’s side through to the next round.

Earlier on Friday, Jordan entered the semifinals for the first time in their history after a 1-0 victory over Tajikistan.

Having reached the quarterfinals twice, the West Asian team finally strode a step forward this time.

Center-back Abdallah Nasib rose high to meet a cross from the corner in the 66th minute, and his header bounced off Tajik defender Vahdat Hanonov before falling into the net.

Tajikistan, who were on their maiden continental campaign, ended their fairy-tale runs on a high note.

The Asian Cup, featuring a total of 24 teams, is running from January 12 to February 10.

Madrid, Feb 3 (IANS) Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil has become the latest to rule himself out of being a possible replacement for Xavi Hernandez at FC Barcelona.

Xavi’s announcement a week ago that he would step down at Barca at the end of the season after two and a half years in charge has started a wave of speculation over his possible successor, with coaches such as Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) and Thomas Tuchel (Bayern Munich) mentioned as possible replacements, reported Xinhua.

Arteta and Tuchel were both quick to rule themselves out of the running and on Friday, Imanol also said he wasn’t interested in the Barca job.

The Real Sociedad boss has also been talked of as a candidate for the Camp Nou after his excellent work has seen the San Sebastian side win the 2020 Copa del Rey, as well as finishing sixth, fifth and fourth in La Liga in the last three seasons.

Imanol was asked about the rumors in his press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to play Girona and was clear in his reply.

“It’s something that’s not really for me to discuss. I can say that Xavi is the ideal coach for Barcelona and it will be hard for them to find someone like him. I have total respect for him,” he said, before insisting his intention was to stay where he is.

“I am at the best club I could be at. I feel very highly valued and I’m delighted to be at ‘La Real’.”

“What I want to do is to continue making history here: my contract ends in 2025 and I hope I can sign a new deal, I have to earn it, but I’m never going to be happier anywhere other than here,” he insisted.

London, Feb 2 (IANS) West Ham United extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to six games with a hard-earned 1-1 draw at home to AFC Bournemouth under the London Stadium lights.

Dominic Solanke broke the deadlock for the visitors in the opening moments of the match, and half-chances for James Ward-Prowse and Tomáš Souček were as close as the home side came to equalising during a disappointing first 45.

An improved performance after the interval delivered a goal in the 61st minute however, with Ward-Prowse dispatching the 15th top-flight penalty of his career, but neither side could find the winner and both were ultimately forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

A point keeps West Ham sixth in the standings, on 36 points after 22 games, ahead of an away trip to seventh-placed Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, while Bournemouth stay 12th on 26 points.

Manchester, Feb1 (IANS) Birthday boy Julian Alvarez scored a superb double as Manchester City moved back up to second in the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Burnley.

Kevin De Bruyne captained the side, grabbing an assist on his first league start since August, while Erling Haaland came off the bench for his first appearance since December, as City extended their unbeaten Premier League run to six matches, winning five.

Burnley fell behind after only 16 minutes, when Alvarez produced a close-range header from Matheus Nunes’s dinked cross. Six minutes later, Alvarez added his second. De Bruyne’s clever pass from a free-kick caught the Burnley defence off-guard and allowed the striker to clip his effort over the advancing James Trafford, Premier League reports.

In setting up City’s second goal, De Bruyne claimed his 104th assist in the competition to move above Wayne Rooney and go third in the all-time chart. Burnley responded well and almost pulled one back just before the break, but Lyle Foster curled his effort narrowly wide of a post.

City started the second half far stronger than they did the first and were rewarded with a third goal just 24 seconds after the restart, as Phil Foden cut the ball back to Rodri on the edge of the area and he fired into the bottom corner.

Burnley grabbed a consolation goal in the third minute of stoppage time, when David Datro Fofana darted to the byline and pulled a low cross back for Ameen Al Dakhil to bundle in his first Premier League goal.

The result moves City on to 46 points, the same total as Arsenal, whom they are above on goal difference. Liverpool’s win over Chelsea means City remain five points off the leaders.

London, Feb 1 (IANS) Tottenham Hotspur completed an epic second-half turnaround to beat Brentford 3-2 and leapfrog Aston Villa into fourth place in the Premier League table.

Trailing 1-0 at the break to Neal Maupay’s goal, a blistering start to the second half saw Spurs hit three quickfire goals to overturn a half-time deficit and pave the way for an important victory.

Brentford went ahead at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after 12 minutes through Neal Maupay and Spurs trailed at the break after a frustrating first half, but three goals in nine minutes early in the second period – from Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson and Richarlison – changed the complexion of the game.

Brentford pulled one back through Ivan Toney in the 67th minute but Spurs held firm to pick up maximum points and move into the top four of the Premier League.

Spurs move on to 43 points, level with Aston Villa but above them on goals scored. Brentford are 15th, with 22 points, four above the relegation zone.