South Korea celebrated late victories in the round of 16 and quarter-finals. Klinsmann’s team failed to make a comeback against Jordan.
Former national coach Jürgen Klinsmann surprisingly failed with South Korea in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup. The World Cup round of 16 deservedly lost 0-2 at the finals in Qatar after a weak performance against outsiders Jordan.
South Korea will therefore have to wait for its third title at the continental championship. Jordan, on the other hand, is in the final of the Asian Cup for the first time and will meet hosts Qatar or Iran on Saturday, who will face each other in the second semi-final on Wednesday.
What will happen to Klinsmann now?
Yazan Al-Naimat (53rd) and Musa Suleiman (66th) scored the goals for Jordan in Al-Rayyan. The South Koreans, who were lucky to advance on penalties in the round of 16 against Saudi Arabia and in extra time in the quarter-finals against Australia, were sorely missing FC Bayern defender Minjae Kim, who was suspended for yellow. But little came together in the attack around superstar Heung-Min Son.
This means that Klinsmann will likely continue to have a difficult time in South Korea. Even before the tournament, the 1990 world champion had been criticized after failing to win any of his first five games with the Taegeuk Warriors. The fact that he spends more time abroad than in South Korea was also not welcomed – similar to his time as national coach.
The result at the Asian Cup was also modest. South Korea only won one of five games in regular time. Late goals in particular saved the team from an early exit. There was no late comeback against Jordan.