South Korea was the better team in the first half. The two-time Asian Cup champions put Iran under intense pressure in the first 45 minutes. They could have scored just seconds before the interval, but a cross went past the far post.
Iranian coach Afshin Ghotbi made some changes in the second half and the Iranians created some chances. Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari could have scored in the 65th minute but the South Korean goalkeeper made a good save.
Regulation time ended with the two sides tied 0-0.
South Korea’s Yoon Bit Ga Ram scored a goal in the last minute of the first extra time period. There were no goals in the second extra time period.
Lee Yong Rae was named the man of the match.
It was the two teams’ fifth successive meeting in the quarterfinals of the AFC Asian Cup. Iran beat South Korea 6-2 in the UAE in 1996, but lost 2-1 in Lebanon in 2000. The Iranian outfit defeated South Korea 4-3 in a thriller in China in 2004, but Iran was eliminated by South Korea in a penalty shootout in 2007.
Japan and Uzbekistan had already advanced to the semifinal round. On Friday, 10-man Japan defeated host Qatar 3-2 while Uzbekistan edged past Jordan 2-1 to book places in the final four.
Earlier on Saturday, Australia defeated Iraq 1-0 after two periods of extra time, allowing the Socceroos to also advance to the semifinals.
On January 25, Japan will play South Korea and Australia will play Uzbekistan in the semifinals.
The final of the AFC Asian Cup will be played on January 29.