After South Korea beat Portugal tonight and Japan stunned Spain yesterday, the number of countries from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup rose to three, in Qatar.
South Korea rode on the late second-half injury time goal buy Hee-Chan Hwang to secure its place in the final sixteen while Uruguay’s two goals were not enough to help its cause, so late in the tournament.
Australia became the first AFC nation to make the cut after successive wins over Tunisia and Denmark, after a drubbing to France in its opening World Cup match.
In Group E, Japan stunned Spain with two second half goals to become only the third team in World Cup history to win two different games at a single edition in which it was losing at half-time, after Brazil in 1938 and Germany in 1970.
RELATED FIFA WORLD CUP STORIES
- ⦿Japan vs Spain Highlights
- ⦿Scan the World Cup in pictures
- ⦿Football fans, put your skills to the test with FIFA World Cup Quiz
- ⦿Soak in the rich history of the football World Cup
- ⦿WATCH: What’s happening in Qatar and who is saying what
- ⦿Here are some of the most frequently asked questions
With the win, Japan emulated its comeback, as it did against Germany and finished as the Group topper in Group E. South Korea became the latest entry into the round of 16 from Asia, with the win.
Australia will play Argentina in the knockouts on December 4, while Japan will lock horns with Croatia the next day. South Korea’s next opponent is yet to be decided, with Group G in action now. The topper from Group G will play the Koreans in the knockouts.
