Korea-Iraq semi today
South Korea will be praying lightning does not strike twice when they face Iraq in the Asian Cup semi-finals on Monday, having limped to the last four battered and bruised.
The Koreans have failed to win Asia's showcase tournament since 1960 -- a curious anomaly for a country with a proud footballing pedigree and who famously reached the last four of the World Cup in 2002.
But as coach Uli Stielike tries to rouse his injury-hit squad for Monday's clash, memories of Iraq's fairytale run to the 2007 Asian Cup title still haunt the Red Devils.
South Korea were stunned on penalties in the semi-finals by Iraq, who went on to beat Saudi Arabia in the final in Jakarta, talisman Younis Mahmoud heading the winner to bring a small measure of comfort to the war-torn country.
Stielike has been busy patching up his walking wounded and will be hoping South Korea's golden boy Son Heung-Min can repeat his midweek heroics, when he struck twice in extra time in the 2-0 quarter-final win over Uzbekistan.
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