BUSAN, Oct 10: South Korea fell at the semifinal hurdle again Thursday, upset 5-3 in the soccer compeition in a penalty shootout with champions Iran after a goalless draw.

Iran, chasing a fourth Asian Games title, will play Japan in the final of the under-23 tournament after the Japanese eased past Thailand 3-0 in the earlier semifinal in Ulsan.

South Korea, who lost 1-0 to Germany in the semifinals of the World Cup, were in control throughout at Pusan’s Gudeok Stadium but received a let-off when Iran had a “goal” disallowed for offside two minutes into the second half.

Replays suggested that the Iran striker Javad Kazemeyan was onside when he stooped to head a left-wing cross from Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht past goalkeeper Lee Won-jae.

There were shades of the World Cup as the Iranian players protested vehemently to Bahraini referee Rahman Al-Delawar.

Italy and Spain both complained bitterly about the officiating after they lost to the co-hosts at the World Cup in the second round and quarterfinals respectively.

If Iran were hard done by, however, that was the closest they came to scoring in a match dominated by South Korea.

The home side hit the woodwork twice and substitute Lee Dong-gook wasted two excellent chances in extra time as South Korea poured on the pressure.

World Cup striker Lee Chun-soo was a constant menace and almost supplied the opener for Kim Eun-jung in the 52nd minute but his near-post header flashed inches wide.

Moments later a dipping 25-metre effort from Kim Dong-jin shaved the crossbar and in the 63rd minute defender Cho Sung-hwan headed narrowly wide after another teasing cross from Lee.

But Lee Dong-gook was the chief culprit, dragging a right-foot shot wide in the 90th minute when clean through on goal.

Lee, who had scored five goals in five games at the Asian Games, then failed to hit the target with two more golden opportunities in extra time as penalties loomed.

South Korea had beaten Spain in a penalty shoot-out at the World Cup but luck deserted them here as captain Lee Young-pyo struck the crossbar on the second kick to hand the advantage to Iran.

The Iranians kept their nerve when it mattered and defender Yahya Golmohammadi duly fired the decisive kick into the net.

Japan reached the final for the first time after beating Thailand.

Goals from defender Shohei Ikeda, midfielder Keita Suzuki and striker Satoshi Nakayama settled the issue for Japan, who are in the last four for the first time since the 1970 Bangkok Games.

Japan went ahead on 23 minutes when a low cross from defender Hikaru Mita was spilled by goalkeeper Kittisak Rawangpa, leaving Ikeda to smash in the rebound from close range.

The Japanese scored again two minutes after the break when midfielder Kazuyuki Morisaki fed Suzuki, who struck a fierce right-foot drive into the top corner from 25 metres.

They wrapped up victory when Nakayama slid in at the far post to covert a right-wing cross from Hayuma Tanaka six minutes from time.—Reuters