AFC Asian Cup: South Korea edge Oman 1-0

Korea Republic players celebrate after a goal by Cho Young Cheol during the 20145 Asian Cup match between Korea Republic and Oman

Canberra, Jan 10 (IANS) South Korea downed Oman 1-0 in their first game of the AFC Asian Cup 2015 football tournament at the Canberra Stadium here Saturday.

The South Koreans, one of the tournament’s favourites, dominated the game with better technique and buildups, and a solid Oman defence fought hard, but the stalemate was not broken until the injury time of the first half, reports Xinhua.

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

Oman nearly seized a last gasp equaliser, but substitute striker Imad Al Hosni's header following a corner was touched onto the bar by South Korean goalie Kim Jin Hyeon.

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.