Hee Chan Hwang’s injury time penalty against Australia helped South Korea into the semi-final of the Asian Cup, which takes place this week.
While Hwang’s journey continues during this international period, Boubacar Traore now returns to Wolverhampton, after Mali were eliminated from AFCON late in the day over the weekend.
Hee Chan Hwang | South Korea 2-1 Australia (after extra time)
Like in the quarter final against Saudi Arabia, Wolves’ Hwang was South Korea’s hero from the penalty spot. Against Australia on Friday, his moment came in the final minute of the 90 as he fired home from the spot to save his country and take the tie to extra time. Then, in the 104th minute, Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min struck home a free-kick to book their place in the last four. Aiden O’Neill was then sent off for a high challenge on Hwang, but fortunately the attacker avoided injury. Having started his first game of the tournament against Australia, Hwang will expect to keep his shirt for the semi-final against Jordan on Tuesday afternoon.
Next up: South Korea vs Jordan | Tuesday 6th February, 3pm
Hee Chan's a semi-finalist!! 🇰🇷🙌 pic.twitter.com/36I32RJ1Ol
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 2, 2024
Boubacar Traore | Mali 2-1 Ivory Coast (after extra time)
Mali gave AFCON hosts Ivory Coast an almighty scare on Saturday but were cruelly dumped out after a late extra time winner. Nene Dorgeles had put Mali ahead ten-man Ivory Coast on 71 minutes, but the Elephants levelled at the death through Simon Adingra. Boubacar Traore came on during the closing stages of normal time, so played the entirety of extra time, where Mali looked on their way to penalties. However, at the end of extra time, Oumar Diakite won it for Ivory Coast, meaning Mali’s tournament was over and Traore makes his return to the UK.
