Son Heung-Min Goal Against Malaysia Not Enough For South Korea To Top Asian Cup Group

Son Heung-min scored his second goal of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup but it was not enough to secure South Korea a win over Malaysia in a crazy 3-3 draw.

Son Heung-min scored his second goal of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup but it was not enough to secure South Korea a win over Malaysia in their Group E finale.

South Korea went from 1-0 up, to 2-1 down, to 3-2 up, before Malaysia equalized in the 15th minute of added time to secure a memorable 3-3 draw.

That result saw South Korea finish second in Group E, behind Bahrain - who beat Jordan 1-0 in a much less dramatic game elsewhere on Thursday.

Bahrain will now face Japan in the round of 16, while South Korea will take on the winners of Group F - which will be either Saudi Arabia or Thailand.

Group E concludes with Bahrain 🇧🇭 leading the table, and Korea Republic 🇰🇷 and Jordan 🇯🇴 qualifying alongside them#AsianCup2023 #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/oPwBuRWdnE

— AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ (@Qatar2023en) January 25, 2024

South Korea dominated possession with 81% and had 20 corners more than Malaysia.

But Malaysia led from the 61st minute until the 83rd when a brilliant long-range free-kick by Lee Kang-in made it 2-2.

Lee's shot hit the underside of the crossbar before deflecting into the net off the keeper's glove, meaning it was officially recorded as an Ahmad Syihan Hazmi own goal.

Son then converted a penalty kick in the 94th minute to put South Korea ahead after a VAR review ruled that Junior Eldstal had fouled Oh Hyeon-Gyu.

But Malaysia did not fold.

Romel Morales fired home from just outside of the 18-yard box 844 seconds into added time to earn Malaysia a first point at the Asian Cup since 1980.

South Korea captain Son Heung-min pictured with his hands on his hips after his team drew 3-3 with Malaysia at the AFC Asian Cup on Thursday :: IMAGO/Newscom/Yonhap News