Tehran, Jan. 28, 2011 - South Korea has beaten Uzbekistan in a frantic match between the losing semi-finalists to secure the third place in the 2011 Asian Cup, according to Press TV.
The South Koreans, who held a three-nil lead in the first 40 minutes of the Friday game, barely got through the pitch with a 3-2 win.
Koo Ja-cheol scored an early first goal in the 17th minute, followed by another two by Ji Dong-won.
South Koreans struggled to contain their opponents for much of the match.
Having suffered a humiliating 6-0 thrashing in their semi-final against Australia, Uzbekistan started to fight back after an ominous beginning.
Two penalties from Alexander Geynrikhm one just before half-time and another just after the break, pushed Uzbekistan closer to a draw to bring the house down at the Qatar's al-Sadd Stadium.
The close win gives South Korea automatic qualification for the 2015 Asian Cup.
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