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The Rematch Down Under

January 27, 2015

S. Korea to face Australia in Asian Cup soccer final

South Korea’s Lee Jeonghyeop reacts after scoring his country’s first goal during the AFC Asia Cup soccer match between Australia and South Korea in Brisbane, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)

NEWCASTLE (Yonhap) — South Korea will face Australia in the final of the AFC Asian Cup, after the host nation knocked out the United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the semifinals on Tuesday.

Trent Sainsbury and Jason Davidson each scored in the first half at Newcastle Stadium, as Australia reached its second consecutive final at the continental tournament. Australia lost to Japan in the 2011 Asian Cup final.

This year’s final will take place at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Saturday. Kickoff will be 8 p.m. local time, 6 p.m. in Seoul and 1 a.m. in Los Angeles.

South Korea defeated Iraq 2-0 in its semifinals match on Monday in Sydney, reaching the brink of its first Asian Cup title since 1960. South Korea is making its first final appearance in 27 years.

South Korea edged out Australia 1-0 in their final Group A match on Jan. 17 in Brisbane. Both countries had already secured spots in the knockout stage prior to the match, and Australia head coach Ange Postecoglou benched key players such as Tim Cahill and Robbie Kruse.

Australia has netted 12 goals in five matches so far, while giving up two. South Korea has scored seven times in five matches and has yet to concede a goal.