Jordan Reaches First Asian Cup Final after Stunning South Korea

 Jordan's players celebrate after defeating South Korea at the end of the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup semi-final football match between Jordan and South Korea at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, on February 6, 2024. (AFP)
Jordan's players celebrate after defeating South Korea at the end of the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup semi-final football match between Jordan and South Korea at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, on February 6, 2024. (AFP)
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Jordan Reaches First Asian Cup Final after Stunning South Korea

 Jordan's players celebrate after defeating South Korea at the end of the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup semi-final football match between Jordan and South Korea at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, on February 6, 2024. (AFP)
Jordan's players celebrate after defeating South Korea at the end of the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup semi-final football match between Jordan and South Korea at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, on February 6, 2024. (AFP)

Jordan is in the final of the Asian Cup for the first time after stunning South Korea 2-0 on Tuesday.

Yazan Al Naimat and Mousa Tamari struck in the second half at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium to knock out one of the pre-tournament favorites.

Jordan will play Iran or defending champion Qatar in the final this weekend. Their semifinal is on Wednesday.

Al Naimat opened the scoring in the 53rd minute when flicking a shot beyond goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, who had pulled off a series of saves to keep the score level.

Tamari made it 2-0 in the 66th with a long-range effort.

Two-time champion South Korea was aiming to win its first Asian Cup since 1960.

It needed a stoppage time own goal to secure a draw with Jordan in the group stage and mounted late comebacks in the round of 16 and quarterfinals against Saudi Arabia and Australia. But a repeat never looked likely on this occasion.

The closest South Korea came to scoring was when Lee Jae-sung headed against the post in the first half.



First Sports Investment Forum Kicks Off in Riyadh

Officials are seen at the launch of the Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the launch of the Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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First Sports Investment Forum Kicks Off in Riyadh

Officials are seen at the launch of the Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the launch of the Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

The first edition of the Sports Investment Forum (SIF), sponsored by the Ministries of Sport and Investment, kicked off in Riyadh on Monday with over 140 speakers, more than 3,000 attendees, and 50 sessions and workshops for the three-day event.

Deputy Minister of Sport Badr Al-Qadi, representing Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, expressed appreciation for the Saudi leadership's support of the sports sector, which has contributed to the development of the sports system and its many accomplishments in recent years.

The audience watched a presentation on SIF, which reviewed its objectives and highlighted the most prominent national sports achievements.

Several initiatives related to sports investment were launched, accompanied by the signing of various agreements in real estate development, technology, and sports sector.

One panel session featured Al-Qadi, Deputy Minister of Tourism Princess Haifa bint Mohammed, and Assistant Minister of Investment Ibrahim Al-Mubarak.

Al-Qadi said that achieving the objectives of the National Sports Strategy requires cross-sectoral integration, adding that the sports sector is a strategic partner in driving national development and advancing Saudi sports.

Princess Haifa stressed that the forum is the result of private sector initiatives and aligns closely with the objectives of Vision 2030. She underscored the role of sports in advancing the tourism sector, generating job opportunities and supporting economic growth.

The Kingdom currently attracts approximately 24 million tourists annually to attend sports events and activities, generating around SAR22 billion in spending, she revealed.

Al-Mubarak said the Kingdom has achieved significant milestones across numerous sectors since the launch of Vision 2030, including the sports sector, which demonstrates its promising investment potential.