KUALA LUMPUR - Iran’s hopes of a first AFC Asian Cup title in 31 years were dashed on Sunday evening after Team Melli were beaten by Korea Republic in a tense penalty shootout at a rainy Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

The match went to penalties after a lively and physical quarter-final encounter between two familiar foes had finished goalless and goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae emerged as the hero for the Taeguk Warriors, stopping attempts by Mehdi Mahdavikia and Rasoul Khatibi to give his side a 4-2 victory.

Korea, who face Iraq in the semi-finals at the same venue on Wednesday, avenged a 4-3 defeat suffered to the Iranians at the same stage in China three years ago.

The two teams had also met in the quarter-finals of the previous two Asian Cups with the Koreans winning 2-1 in Lebanon in 2000 and Iran scoring a 6-2 win in the United Arab Emirates in 1996.

Korea coach Pim Verbeek made two changes from the side that beat Indonesia 1-0 with forwards Lee Dong-gook and Yeom Ki-hun replacing Cho Jae-jin and Choi Sung-kuk.

Meanwhile, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei made three alterations from the side which beat Malaysia 2-0 with Rasoul Khatibi, Mehrzad Madanchi and Mohammed Nosrati replacing Reza Enayati, Eman Mobali and Ferydoon Zandi.

The Bukit Jalil Stadium was far from full for the clash between two superpowers of Asian football but the two sets of supporters created a rousing atmosphere that was mirrored on the pitch by robust play from both sides in the early exchanges.

The Koreans had the first real opening in the sixth minutes when they were awarded a free kick for Mohammed Nosrati’s challenge on Yeom Ki-hun but dead ball specialist Lee Chun-soo failed to take advantage, firing his effort from 20 metres over the crossbar.

The Koreans did much of the early probing but their high defensive line was nearly caught out on two occasions, Khatibi flagged offside both times as he looked to burst clear from midfield.

Yeom Ki-hun’s strong running caused plenty of problems for the Iranians and he very nearly forced an opening on 23 minutes when he made a mazy run through the heart of the Team Melli defence only to stumble on the soggy pitch as he closed in on goal.

A minute later, goalkeeper Hassan Roudbarian had to dive low to his left to keep out a low shot by Kim Sang-sik which took a slight nick off Lee Chun-soo on the edge of the Iran box.

Iran were struggling to contain the pace of the Koreans but Mehdi Mahdvikia almost caught out the east Asians with a quick break on the half-hour, turning Kim Chi-woo inside the Korean box before dragging his attempt wide.

As the half came to a close, it was the Iranians who enjoyed the best chances, with Ali Karimi denied by the feet of Lee Woon-jae on 42 minutes after receiving a neat pass from Vahid Hashemian, while Mahdavikia saw his goal-bound shot blocked by Kim Jin-kyu in the six-yard box.

Lee Woon-jae was called into action once again early in the second half, punching clear under challenge from Hashemian on the edge of his six-yard box.

On the hour, the Koreans nearly broke the deadlock when Yeom Ki-hun gathered the ball on the edge of the Iranian box after Nosrati had missed a header. The Jeonbuk Motors failed to connect cleanly but his shot bounced dangerously towards goal, forcing Roudbarian to desperately palm the ball aside.

The cut and thrust continued with Cho Jae-jin heading over after Kim Chi-woo had crossed from the left byline.

Khatibi nearly punished hesitant goalkeeping by Lee Woon-jae midway through the second half, as he beat the Korean skipper to a long ball played down the left flank only to be taken out by a crunching tackle by Oh Beom-seok, who received a yellow card for his troubles.

For all of the endeavour of the two teams, there were few clear-cut chances in the second half until the closing minutes when Javad Nekounam fired a fierce drive from 30 metres straight at Lee Woon-jae before Zandi put in a low cross from the left flank to fellow substitute Enayati, who put his shot wide at the far post.

For the second time in this year’s Asian Cup, extra-time was required but there were precious few chances in the extra frames with the Koreans going close on 99 minute when Choi Sung-kuk’s corner kick was flicked across goal by Kang Min-soo.

Nekounam then squandered an opening right before the teams changed ends, firing wide from the edge of the box after receiving an excellent layoff from Karimi.

Mahdavikia forced Lee Woon-jae into a diving stop early in the second extra period but with both sides tiring on the heavy pitch, a penalty shootout became almost inevitable.

Iran brought on goalkeeper Vahid Taleblou in place of Roudbarian in the dying seconds for the shootout and his lanky frame kept out Kim Do-heon’s third attempt for the Koreans.

However, Lee Woon-jae kept out attempts by Mahdavikia and Khatibi, allowing Kim Jung-woo to roll home the winning kick, sending Korea through to a last four meeting with Iraq. Sunday, July 22, 2007 at 11:25 PM