Son's Korea survive Bahrain scare to reach Asian quarters

Son Heung-min's South Korea needed an extra-time winner to beat world ranked 113th Bahrain 2-1 as they stumbled into the Asian Cup quarter-finals in unconvincing fashion on Tuesday.

Kim Jin-su's diving header at the end of the first extra period proved the difference as the two-time champions met unexpected resistance before winning in Dubai.

But Paulo Bento's side, runners-up in 2015 and one of the favourites for the title, survived to reach the last eight, where they will face Qatar or 2007 winners Iraq.

Tottenham star Son took a boot to the head as he weathered some robust challenges in a first half which South Korea dominated with 73 percent of possession.

Bahrain nearly stunned the Koreans with Mohamed Marhoon's stinging early shot as South Korea took time to settle into their rhythm.

But from the half-hour Son started to make his presence felt with some typically direct running which caused panic in the Bahrain defence.

South Korea broke the deadlock two minutes from half-time, .