Two-time champion South Korea defeated Iraq 2-0 to qualify for its first Asian Cup final in nearly 30 years at Sydney's Olympic Stadium on Monday, AP reported. Lee Jeong-hyeop's header in the first half and Kim Young-gwon's long-range strike just after halftime lifted South Korea to its first continental final since 1988 and within a victory of its first Asian Cup title since 1960. The 2007 champions Iraq, led by talismanic striker Younis Mahmoud, struggled for opportunities against South Korea's solid defense. South Korea will next play the winner of Tuesday's second semifinal between host team Australia and UAE in the final at Sydney on Saturday.
