Jan Vertonghen led 10-man Belgium to a 1-0 victory over South Korea on Thursday that gave them top place in their World Cup group and ended Asian hopes in the competition.
The stand-in captain hit the winner 12 minutes from time as Belgium finished with a perfect three wins in Group H. They now play the United States in the last-16.
South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu could only parry a fierce shot by substitute Divock Origi and it went to the feet of Vertonghen, who buried the rebound and leapt into the crowd to celebrate.
Click here to visit The National’s World Cup 2014 landing page
South Korea had needed a big win to stand any chance of qualifying, and they were given hope when Steven Defour was sent off for a stamp just before half-time.
But they failed to create clear-cut opportunities against an obdurate Belgian defence and depart the tournament winless, as did regional rivals Japan, Iran and Australia.
Belgian coach Marc Wilmots made seven changes from the team that beat Russia 1-0, giving Manchester United 19-year-old Adnan Januzaj his World Cup debut, to keep players fresh for the knock-out stages.
South Korea showed urgency at the start and they had two hopeful penalty shouts waved away before Kim Young-Gwon, receiving the ball in the area from a free-kick, disappointingly blasted off-target.
Son Heung-Min received a great through-ball but was quickly closed down. Belgium showed little threat although Kevin Mirallas, bursting on to a pass from former Everton teammate Marouane Fellaini, had a goal chalked off for offside.
A Mexican wave after19 minutes indicated the crowd’s thoughts were elsewhere, but Dries Mertens regained their attention when he found Mirallas in the box and then miscued wildly from close range.
It looked like Belgium would take control but Ki Sung-Yueng brought a sharp save from Thibaut Courtois with a low drive before Defour cleared Koo Ja-Cheol’s header off the line from the resulting corner.
The busy Mertens fired another chance well wide and then forced goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu to tip a free-kick over the bar after he surprised him by trying his luck from distance.
Defour got a straight red card from Australian referee Ben Williams for a two footed challenge on Kim Shin-Wook. The Porto midfielder made no protest and walked straight off.
With Russia leading Algeria 1-0, South Korea needed at least two goals to go through and coach Hong Myung-Bo brought on striker Lee Keun-Ho at half-time as they went for broke.
Ki’s sensational cross-field pass picked out Lee Chung-Yong on right and substitute Lee then headed over as South Korea threatened.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Son ran into space down the left and found Lee Chung-Yong, whose shot was blocked, and then from the right, he floated a cross-cum-shot onto the Belgian bar.
Belgium were doing most of the defending but Manchester United’s Fellaini had a strong penalty appeal denied when he was checked by Hong Jeong-Ho.
It felt like a goal was on its way and when Ki rose to meet Son’s corner from the right, Korean fans held their breath. But he mistimed his header which was easily gathered by Courtois.
Januzaj was withdrawn on 59 minutes and replaced by Origi, Belgium’s scorer in the 1-0 win over Russia. Shortly afterwards, Fellaini should have broken the deadlock but he put a simple header wide.
Despite their extra man, South Korea could not penetrate the packed Belgian defence and Lee Chung-Yong and Koo both saw dangerous opportunities snuffed out before they could shoot.
And they paid for their failures when Vertonghen scored.
Follow us on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE
The biog
Born: High Wycombe, England
Favourite vehicle: One with solid axels
Favourite camping spot: Anywhere I can get to.
Favourite road trip: My first trip to Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan. The desert they have over there is different and the language made it a bit more challenging.
Favourite spot in the UAE: Al Dhafra. It’s unique, natural, inaccessible, unspoilt.
The Saudi Cup race card
1 The Jockey Club Local Handicap (TB) 1,800m (Dirt) $500,000
2 The Riyadh Dirt Sprint (TB) 1,200m (D) $1.500,000
3 The 1351 Turf Sprint 1,351m (Turf) $1,000,000
4 The Saudi Derby (TB) 1600m (D) $800,000
5 The Neom Turf Cup (TB) 2,100m (T) $1,000,000
6 The Obaiya Arabian Classic (PB) 2,000m (D) $1,900,000
7 The Red Sea Turf Handicap (TB) 3,000m (T) $2,500,000
8 The Saudi Cup (TB) 1,800m (D) $20,000,000
Match info
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Liverpool v Porto, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
Company Profile
Company name: Fine Diner
Started: March, 2020
Co-founders: Sami Elayan, Saed Elayan and Zaid Azzouka
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and food delivery
Initial investment: Dh75,000
Investor: Dtec Startupbootcamp
Future plan: Looking to raise $400,000
Total sales: Over 1,000 deliveries in three months
Fighter profiles
Gabrieli Pessanha (Brazil)
Reigning Abu Dhabi World Pro champion in the 95kg division, virtually unbeatable in her weight class. Known for her pressure game but also dangerous with her back on the mat.
Nathiely de Jesus, 23, (Brazil)
Two-time World Pro champion renowned for her aggressive game. She is tall and most feared by her opponents for both her triangles and arm-bar attacks.
Thamara Ferreira, 24, (Brazil)
Since her brown belt days, Ferreira has been dominating the 70kg, in both the World Pro and the Grand Slams. With a very aggressive game.
Samantha Cook, 32, (Britain)
One of the biggest talents coming out of Europe in recent times. She is known for a highly technical game and bringing her A game to the table as always.
Kendall Reusing, 22, (USA)
Another young gun ready to explode in the big leagues. The Californian resident is a powerhouse in the -95kg division. Her duels with Pessanha have been highlights in the Grand Slams.
Martina Gramenius, 32, (Sweden)
Already a two-time Grand Slam champion in the current season. Gramenius won golds in the 70kg, in both in Moscow and Tokyo, to earn a spot in the inaugural Queen of Mats.
Manchester United v Club America
When: Thursday, 9pm Arizona time (Friday UAE, 8am)
The Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize
This year’s winners of the US$4 million Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize will be recognised and rewarded in Abu Dhabi on January 15 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week, which runs in the capital from January 13 to 20.
From solutions to life-changing technologies, the aim is to discover innovative breakthroughs to create a new and sustainable energy future.
Sanchez's club career
2005-2006: Cobreloa
2006-2011 Udinese
2006-2007 Colo-Colo (on loan)
2007-2008 River Plate (on loan)
2011-2014 Barcelona
2014–Present Arsenal
