Son Heung-min scores picturesque FK comeback against Australia to become Asian Cup’s top goal scorer
Son Heung-min’s stunning free-kick against Australia has been nominated as the best goal of the Asian Cup.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on its official website on Wednesday that “a total of 132 goals have been scored in 51 matches at a rate of 2.59 goals per match in the tournament. The AFC will select the eight best goals of the tournament and ask fans to vote for their favorite,” the AFC said, introducing the eight goals. Son Heung-min’s free-kick against Australia was among the nominees.
Son Heung-min scored the game-winner against Australia. Heung-min earned a penalty kick (PK) with South Korea trailing 0-1, and Hwang Hee-chan stepped up to kick the equalizer, sending the game into dramatic overtime. In the extra time, Hwang scored a picture-perfect free-kick goal to complete the comeback. Son Heung-min scored the equalizer and the game-winner to give South Korea a 2-1 victory.
In that game, Son had two key passes, three shots (two on target), five dribble attempts (three successful), 11 contests (seven successful), and three fouls. According to the soccer statistician’s Couch Score, Son has an 8.6 rating, making him the highest rated player in the match.
Commenting on Son’s goal, the AFC said: “South Korea lost to Australia in the quarterfinals and needed a late PK to force extra time. Son Heung-min took matters into his own hands. Heung-min, who had won the PK earlier in the tournament, curled a delightful free kick from the left corner of the penalty box past Matthew Ryan and into the back of the net to seal the win.”
Along with Son Heung-min’s goal, Keito Nakamura (Japan vs. Vietnam), Abdulrahman Gharib (Saudi Arabia vs. Oman), Hassan Al-Haidos (Qatar vs. China), Supachok Sarachat (Thailand vs. Uzbekistan), and Sardar Azmoun (Iran vs. Qatar) were also nominated.
South Korea is another team that has produced a number of goalscorers. Malaysia’s Faisal Halim’s goal against South Korea in the third round of the group stage has been nominated for best goal. AFC said: “Malaysia trailed 0-1 at half-time against South Korea but 안전놀이터 were rewarded for their efforts with a much firmer second half. He found space between Kim Min Jae and Cho Hyun Woo and produced a world-class finish.”
Jordan’s Moussa Al-Tamari’s wedge goal against South Korea in the quarterfinals also earned him a spot among the eight nominees. The AFC said: “Jordanian superstar Al-Tamari has been one of the standout performers throughout the AFC Asian Cup, and his moment of brilliance against South Korea came when he weaved his way between two or three defenders to send the ball into the bottom corner. He scored a fantastic solo goal to seal a place in the final.”
Voting is now open on the AFC’s official website and closes at 7:00 a.m. on June 26th.
