S. Korea edges Oman 1-0 by Cho's goal at Asian Cup

Tournament favourites South Korea downed Oman 1-0 in their first game at the AFC Asian Cup 2015 at the Canberra stadium here on Saturday.

The South Koreans dominated the game with better techniques and buildups, and a solid Oman defence fought very hard to deal with the Taegeuk Warriors, but the stalemate was not break until the injury time of the first half.

Forward Cho Young Cheol made a timely slide-in from close range to beat an in-form Al Habsi after Koo Ja Cheol's angled shot from the edge of box was saved by the Omani ace keeper.

Oman nearly seized a last gasp equaliser in the dying minutes before the final whistle, but substitute striker Imad Al Hosni's unstoppable header following a corner was touched by Kim Jin Hyeon before hit the bar.

South Korea's head coach Uli Stielike deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation with his major players all in the starting lineup, while Oman boss Paul Le Guen used a 5-4-1 defensive one. The South Koreans controlled the ryhthm from the very beginning.

Koo Ja Cheol's 6 minute low drive was denied by a focused Habsi, before Son Heungmin ratteled the crossbar with a lob shot from a tight angle inside the area following a long pass from the midfield.

Habsi was Oman's hero undoubtedly, he parried anthor two shots in the first half, including tipped over a clumsy header from his teammate to avoid an own goal and denying a direct freekick.

Oman rallied after the interval and pushed up more than they did in the first half. Although the game is still under the Taegeuk's rhythm, Oman can produce some threats on the basis of counter-attack.

33-year-old Habsi still attracted the limelight, he denied Koo's bullet header in the 57th minute to keep hopes of equalising the score for his side. However, the Omani attacking power was not enough to break through the South Korean defence. Endi