Lee Jeong-Hyeop gave his side the lead after 20 minutes when he rose highest and met Kim Jin-Su's set-piece with a well-directed header.

Kim Young-Gwon then doubled South Korea's advantage just after the restart with a deflected strike that flew past Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan Hachim.

Iraq could not find a way back into the game and the Koreans remain on course to win their first Asian Cup title since 1960 after two consecutive third placed finishes in 2007 and 2011.

South Korea will meet the winners of tomorrow's semi-final between Australia and the United Arab Emirates in the final on Saturday (January 31).

Any doubt over whether Iraq would even compete in the semi-final was removed last night after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) dismissed Iran's protest that Iraq had fielded an ineligible player when the two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in their quarter-final clash on Friday (January 23).

Iraq went on to win the resulting penalty shoot-out and the Iranians alleged that Iraqi midfielder Alaa Abdul-Zahra should not have been able to play after he tested positive for a banned substance while playing for an Iranian club side last year.

Iran felt Iraq should have been disqualified for fielding Alaa Abdul-Zahra who tested positive for a banned substance last year ©Getty Images



Following the protest's rebuttal by the AFC, Iran's delegation chief Houshang Moghaddas said they would launch an official complaint to the governing body over the performance of Australian referee Ben Williams.

Williams gave a yellow card to Iran defender Mehdrad Pooladi, and then began to restart play but he was reminded that Pooladi had already been booked, and the player was subsequently sent off with his team 1-0 to the good.

This decision angered manager Carlos Quieroz, who was given a $3,000 (£2,000/€2,670) fine, and Moghaddas claimed this cost his nation victory.

"We will complain 100 per cent, yes," Moghaddas told AFP.

"This referee must be suspended for life.

"Our team was going to be the champions here.

"The referee spoiled it."

Kim Young-Gwon sealed his side's victory early in the second half as South Korea reached the final in comfortable fashion ©Getty Images



Events beforehand somewhat overshadowed the contest itself, which was largely dominated by a Korean side who have grown in confidence after a shaky start to the tournament.

South Korea, who are still yet to concede a goal in the competition, started well and almost went ahead when Lee forced a smart save from Hassan, before they took the lead thanks to the striker's well-placed header.

Lee then turned provider for his side five minutes into the second half as he fed Kim, whose shot from the edge of the box took a slight deflection on its way past Hassan in the Iraqi goal.

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