S. Korea defeat Saudi Arabia on penalties to reach quarterfinals

South Korea knocked off Saudi Arabia 4-2 on penalties to advance to the quarterfinals at the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in Qatar on Tuesday.

South Korean goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo made two stops in the shootout, while the first four South Korean shooters all converted their kicks at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, west of Doha, in the round of 16 at the top AFC tournament.

Abdullah Radif gave Saudi Arabia the lead less than a minute into the second half, and the Green Falcons were moments away from sending the Taegeuk Warriors home before substitute Cho Gue-sung headed home the equalizer nine minutes into stoppage time.

The teams were goalless in the extra session, and Jo played the hero in the shootout to send South Korea to the last eight.

Next up for South Korea will be Australia in the quarterfinals at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, south of Doha. It will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Friday local time, or 12:30 a.m. Saturday in South Korea. It will be the rematch of the 2015 Asian Cup final, where the host Australia prevailed 2-1 in extra time.

South Korea, coached by Jurgen Klinsmann, are trying to win their first Asian Cup title since 1960. (Yonhap)