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By Kevin Hand
Published On 6 Feb 2024

This page is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as Jordan beat South Korea to reach the final of the AFC Asian Cup on Tuesday, February 6:

6 Feb 2024 - 17:54
 (17:54 GMT)

Goodbye for now

That’s it from Al Jazeera’s live coverage.

Another day of sensational sport stories as India fought back against hosts South Africa to book their place in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

While, in this page, we brought you Jordan making history again as they went one better than their first semifinal appearance and defeated the current favourites South Korea to reach the final.

We hope you’ve enjoyed the coverage and can join us again for the second semifinal as Qatar face Iran.

For now though, from myself Kevin Hand and the rest of the team, it’s goodbye.

6 Feb 2024 - 17:47
 (17:47 GMT)

Qatar wary of fatigue before ‘toughest test’

Qatar coach Tintin Marquez Lopez says his side will face their “toughest test” in the defence of their Asian Cup crown when they face Iran in the semifinals on Wednesday.

The Spaniard has bemoaned the lack of time since their quarterfinal victory against Uzbekistan on Saturday, in which the Maroons survived a scare after extra time and penalties.

“If we speak about preparation for the game, it was a very short time,” he said. “We had only two days to prepare.

“The game will be the toughest match of the tournament for us.”

You can read our full preview of the second Asian Cup semifinal here.

6 Feb 2024 - 17:36
 (17:36 GMT)

Don’t forget we have the 2023 AFCON semifinals as well

After Qatar against Iran in the second semifinal at the AFC Asian Cup 2023 on Wednesday, it’s over to the first semifinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations later in the day.

The favourites Nigeria face South Africa at 17:00 GMT before the hosts Ivory Coast take on DRC at 20:00 GMT.

There’s big news coming out of the Super Eagles camp, as well about a potential injury to African footballer of the year Victor Osimhen.

You can read all the latest in our preview here.

6 Feb 2024 - 17:29
 (17:29 GMT)

‘La la la la la laaa, Asia al Jordan’

By Hafsa Adil

Al Rayyan, Qatar

They are dancing their way out of the stands and onto the streets outside the stadium. But it doesn’t look like the party will stop there.

The self-proclaimed “big boys of Jordan” are heading to Doha’s famous Souq Waqif next.

“La la la la la laaa, Asia al Jordan” is the chant tonight.

Delirious Jordan fans at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
6 Feb 2024 - 17:26
 (17:26 GMT)

Jordanians celebrate a famous win

Jordanian fans celebrate the 2-0 win over much-fancied South Korea [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Jordan will play either Qatar or Iran in the final [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
It was Jordan’s first-ever Asian Cup semifinal, now a first final awaits [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Jordan fans make some noise [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Jordan will enjoy staunch backing in the final [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

6 Feb 2024 - 17:25
 (17:25 GMT)

Over to Qatar and Iran

So Jordan are remarkably, and deservedly, one of the finalists following one of the best performances of the tournament.

Who will join them in the final on Saturday?

The defending champions and hosts, Qatar, or the three-time champions Iran.

Whatever the outcome, we’ll have full coverage with all the build-up, team news and updates as ever on our live page.

6 Feb 2024 - 17:15
 (17:15 GMT)

Amman erupts in joy

By Nils Adler

Car horns are honking as people spill out onto the streets. A group breaks out into an impromptu dabke performance.

Wild celebrations break out in the Jordanian capital, Amman [Nils Adler/Al Jazeera]
Fans celebrate as Jordan reach their first Asian Cup final [Nils Adler/Al Jazeera]

6 Feb 2024 - 17:11
 (17:11 GMT)

Who could have predicted this?

One graphic says it all.

Jordan are AFC Asian Cup 2023 finalists!

6 Feb 2024 - 17:10
 (17:10 GMT)

The Al Nashami keep rewriting the history books

By Hafsa Adil

Al Rayyan, Qatar

The men in white are running around the pitch with Jordan flags on the backs.

Their Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta has got a Jordan flag in one hand and a Morocco flag in the other.

Al-Naimat got himself into a bit of tangle for a moment. He climbed up Jordan’s goal to celebrate with the fans camped behind it, only to get himself stuck in the middle of the net and unable to climb off. A few helping hands and pushes were required to get him off safely.

An unusual piece of goal-mouth action after full-time.

Jordan players celebrate after beating South Korea [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
6 Feb 2024 - 17:08
 (17:08 GMT)

No shots on target for South Korea

South Korea heavily dominated possession in the end but the shot count tells the story.

Even with one of the star players on the global stage in attack, Son Heung-min, they were unable to test the Jordan goal.

6 Feb 2024 - 17:04
 (17:04 GMT)

What have we just seen?

Jordan had never made the semifinals before.

They’ve only twice reached the quarterfinals before this edition.

Now, they have knocked out one of the favourites.

It’s an incredible run and an incredible story.

Jordan qualifies in the AFC Asian Cup final [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
6 Feb 2024 - 17:01
 (17:01 GMT)

Jordan are into the final! Full-time!

Incredible! Just incredible!

Full-time: Jordan 2-0 South Korea

Jordan celebrate reaching the Asian Cup final [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
6 Feb 2024 - 17:00
 (17:00 GMT)

Jeong with a diving header wide

As close as they’ve come with a cross from the right.

90+7 minutes: Jordan 2-0 South Korea

6 Feb 2024 - 16:58
 (16:58 GMT)

Son picks the ball up midway inside his own half

The Tottenham captain has barely had a touch in the game and moves position himself to try to influence matters.

He runs all the way to the left corner flag but can’t find room for the cross.

It sums up his side’s day.

90+6 minutes: Jordan 2-0 South Korea

South Korea’s Son in action [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
6 Feb 2024 - 16:56
 (16:56 GMT)

South Korea throw everything forward and pull Son back

The striker drops deep to takeover the playmaker role.

He swings a tremendous ball to the left but again, no way through as the keeper collects the cross.

90+4 minutes: Jordan 2-0 South Korea

6 Feb 2024 - 16:53
 (16:53 GMT)

Jordan fans urge their team on

By Hafsa Adil

Al Rayyan, Qatar

Most Jordan fans are out of their seats and willing their team on to the finish line.

Their chants of “Jordan” reach a crescendo when Haddad waves his arms to keep going.

Just a few minutes to another historic win.

Jordan fans cheer for their team [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
6 Feb 2024 - 16:52
 (16:52 GMT)

Eight minutes of time

One goal for South Korea would make it interesting, but we still await an effort on target from them.

90+1 minutes: Jordan 2-0 South Korea

Jordan vs South Korea – AFC Asian Cup semifinal [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
6 Feb 2024 - 16:51
 (16:51 GMT)

Cho booked for a dive

The striker was set away and had a brief moment where he could have shot from the edge of the area but once he’s into the box, the defence catch him and get the tackle in.

Cho goes down and the ref isn’t impressed.

88 minutes: Jordan 2-0 South Korea

6 Feb 2024 - 16:50
 (16:50 GMT)

Jordanian anxiety over Korean penchant for comebacks

Jordan fans are wary of South Korea’s comeback heroics and want their team to score at least two more goals to be sure of a win.

“Jokes aside, we were confident before the game but it will be crazy when the full time whistle goes,” Maha, a Jordanian, tells Al Jazeera.

6 Feb 2024 - 16:50
 (16:50 GMT)

Tamari breaks from his own half

He makes it all the way to the box but his shot, this time, is blocked.

87 minutes: Jordan 2-0 South Korea

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