Overview

• South Korea and Japan, two of the favorites to win the Asian Cup, have struggled in the group stage, with Japan suffering a shock defeat to Iraq and South Korea managing a draw against Jordan thanks to a last-minute own goal.
• Despite the setbacks, both teams are still in a strong position to reach the knockout rounds, needing only draws in their next matches against Malaysia and Indonesia respectively.
• South Korea, led by former United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann, is seeking its first Asian Cup title since 1960.
• Jordan, ranked 64 places lower than South Korea, nearly secured a historic victory, leading 2-1 in stoppage time before South Korea's equalizer.
• The Asian Cup has seen a number of upsets and close matches, suggesting a narrowing gap between the tournament's traditional powerhouses and less-illustrious teams.