Jordan Plot South Korea Upset as Asian Cup Braces for Semi-finals

 Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Round of 16 - Iraq v Jordan - Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - January 29, 2024 Jordan coach Hussein Ammouta reacts. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Round of 16 - Iraq v Jordan - Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - January 29, 2024 Jordan coach Hussein Ammouta reacts. (Reuters)
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Jordan Plot South Korea Upset as Asian Cup Braces for Semi-finals

 Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Round of 16 - Iraq v Jordan - Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - January 29, 2024 Jordan coach Hussein Ammouta reacts. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Round of 16 - Iraq v Jordan - Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - January 29, 2024 Jordan coach Hussein Ammouta reacts. (Reuters)

Jordan will make a slice of history when they face Son Heung-min's South Korea in the Asian Cup on Tuesday while hosts and holders Qatar play Iran in the other semi-final.

On paper South Korea would be expected to beat a Jordan side who are the lowest-ranked team left in the tournament and in the last four for the first time.

But Jordan held South Korea 2-2 in the group phase, with Jurgen Klinsmann's side salvaging a draw in injury time when Yazan Al-Arab deflected Hwang In-beom's shot into his own net.

Under their admired Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta, Jordan scored twice at the death to beat Iraq in the last 16 and then saw off fairytale debutants Tajikistan in the quarter-finals.

That put Jordan, who are 87th in the FIFA rankings and made their Asian Cup debut in 2004, into their first semi-final.

"Our eyes are now on the trophy," defender Abdallah Nasib, whose second-half header deflected off Tajikistan defender Vahdat Hanonov for the only goal of the game, told AFP.

"What the Jordanian team has achieved confirms that nothing is impossible."

Of the semi-finalists, Jordan are the only ones never to have won the Asian Cup.

Their opponents South Korea have lifted the trophy twice, but the last time was in 1960 and they are under big pressure at home to end that barren run.

They have not been convincing. Held by Jordan and Malaysia in the group phase, they beat Saudi Arabia in the last 16 on penalties and then needed some magic from Son to see off Australia in extra time.

As well as the enduring quality of skipper and Spurs star Son, Klinsmann's side have also been reliant on a series of late goals to stay alive in Qatar.

South Korean media, who have no fondness for the German Klinsmann, have called it "zombie football". Son says the team's ability to keep coming back from the dead in games is proof of their resilience.

The Koreans will be missing Bayern Munich's Kim Min-jae, a rock at the heart of their defense, because of suspension.

Iran close on fourth title

Qatar, who defeated Japan in the 2019 final, and Iran clash on Wednesday in the second semi-final.

Both sides won all three of their group games -- the only teams to do so along with now-eliminated Iraq -- and Iran then squeezed through on penalties against Syria, before beating Japan 2-1 in the last eight.

That victory on Saturday over the pre-tournament favorites, thanks to a stoppage-time penalty from Alireza Jahanbakhsh, has Iran dreaming of a first Asian title since 1976 and fourth overall.

They will welcome back prolific striker Mehdi Taremi after he was suspended for the Japan game.

"This match can be a turning point for Iranian football," coach Amir Ghalenoei said following the victory over Japan.

"Not just for the senior national team, but also for the U23s, U19s and the whole football set-up."



Messi Back with Argentina and Ancelotti Debuts with Brazil in South American World Cup Qualifying 

Brazil's head coach Carlo Ancelotti (C) leads a training session in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 03 June 2025. Brazil is preparing for the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on 05 June. (EPA)
Brazil's head coach Carlo Ancelotti (C) leads a training session in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 03 June 2025. Brazil is preparing for the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on 05 June. (EPA)
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Messi Back with Argentina and Ancelotti Debuts with Brazil in South American World Cup Qualifying 

Brazil's head coach Carlo Ancelotti (C) leads a training session in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 03 June 2025. Brazil is preparing for the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on 05 June. (EPA)
Brazil's head coach Carlo Ancelotti (C) leads a training session in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 03 June 2025. Brazil is preparing for the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on 05 June. (EPA)

Brazil's new coach Carlo Ancelotti is getting a little help from his old friend Casemiro as he prepares for his debut in South American World Cup qualifying at Ecuador. Meanwhile, star Lionel Messi is expected to play Thursday for Argentina at Chile after a seven-month absence.

Veteran midfielder Casemiro, who has had success with the Italian coach at Real Madrid, is likely to be a starter in a match Thursday that could ease the pressure on Brazil, currently in fourth position in the standings. A home win could also put Ecuador close to its berth in the World Cup.

The 37-year Messi seems to be in shape to return for Argentina. His most recent game for the World Cup champions was in November 2024. A muscle injury prevented him from playing in the March doubleheader, in which Lionel Scaloni’s team secured its spot to defend its title.

Argentina leads the round-robin competition with 31 points in 14 matches. Ecuador (23), Uruguay (21), Brazil (21), Paraguay (21), and Colombia (20) could secure direct births this month. The seventh-place team, which will advance to an international playoff, could be Venezuela (15 points), Bolivia (14) or even Peru (10) and Chile (10).

Also on Thursday, Paraguay will host Uruguay. Friday's matches are Colombia vs. Peru and Venezuela against Bolivia.

Ancelotti keys on returning players

Ancelotti has been very communicative with returning players Casemiro and striker Richarlison.

Both players were in Brazil's starting lineup in the 15 minutes allowed for journalists to watch practice at the Corinthians training ground in Sao Paulo. Next week, Brazil will prepare at the same venue for the match against Paraguay.

Raphinha, who is suspended for the game in Guayaquil, will return to the team next week.

Defender Alexsandro, who also hopes to have his national team debut this month, said he was excited about Ancelotti's interest in long conversations with his players. The Italian is still learning Portuguese, but managed to get his message across in Spanish, the Lille player added.

“I saw after our trainings he is very communicative, always asking questions, willing to know more, giving tips. That's important for us to grow, get all the experience and the achievements he has,” Alexsandro said Tuesday. “We need to take this to the next few matches, qualify and get to the World Cup.”

Defender Marquinhos, who had his first training with Ancelotti on Tuesday after lifting the Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, said Ancelotti's arrival will boost Brazil's chances to add a sixth star to its crest.

“You can see that the arrival of our coach brings this energy for the start, it is about something new coming. This short run until the World Cup, having this energy, it will be very important," Marquinhos said.

Messi returns among other new faces

Messi’s return will add to three new faces Argentina is expected to feature against Chile, if their first training session was an indication. Defenders Kevin Lomónaco (Independiente) and Mariano Troilo (Belgrano), and striker Franco Mastantuono, the 17-year-old River Plate targeted by major European clubs, are likely to get tested.

Scaloni will have to decide who will replace defender Nicolás Otamendi, who is suspended for the match at the National Stadium in Santiago. His main options are Leonardo Balerdi and Facundo Medina.

Suspensions and injuries will also force Argentina to change its midfield. Alexis Mac Allister was ruled out, while Enzo Fernández and Leandro Paredes are suspended. Frequent starter Rodrigo De Paul is expected to be joined by Giovanni Lo Celso and Exequiel Palacios.