Egg throwers on Korean national team to go unpunished

Son Heung-min's South Korea came back from the dead to beat Saudi Arabia 4-2 on penalties on Tuesday and join dark horses Uzbekistan in the Asian Cup quarter-finals.

South Korea will face Australia in the last eight while the Uzbeks play hosts and holders Qatar after beating Thailand 2-1.

Second-choice goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo was the hero for South Korea in Doha, saving penalties from Sami Al-Najei and Abdulrahman Ghareeb in the shootout.

Jo was only playing because of a serious knee injury to regular stopper Kim Seung-gyu in training earlier in the tournament.

After a nail-biting game ended 1-1, Hwang Hee-chan scored the decisive penalty for Jurgen Klinsmann's side, who are aiming to end a 64-year Asian Cup title drought for South Korea.

Saudi coach Roberto Mancini disappeared down the tunnel before Hwang took the winning penalty.

"I think this win gives the team an enormous amount of energy," said Klinsmann, who faced fierce criticism in South Korea following draws with Jordan and Malaysia in the group phase.

"It gives the team even more spirit. This is a group of players that I really enjoy working with because they have a lot of heart."

His opposite number Mancini said he had not meant "to disrespect anyone" by leaving the pitch before the shootout had concluded.

"I apologise, I thought it was finished," the Italian said.

In front of a crowd of 40,000 at Education City Stadium, Abdullah Radif opened the scoring for the Saudis 33 seconds after coming on as a half-time substitute.

South Korea had several chances to equalise but left it until the death to do so, sub Cho Gue-sung popping up in the 99th minute to rescue his team and force extra time.

Klinsmann's men dominated both periods of extra time but were guilty of over-elaborating and could not put the ball in the net.

Saudi Pro League sides have shelled out to lure big-name players while Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 World Cup, all part of a broader move into global sport.

But they are out of the Asian Cup in the last 16 and their wait for a fourth continental crown -- and first since 1996 -- goes on.

'Why not?' 

Srecko Katanec said that his Uzbekistan side can "surprise" Qatar in the quarter-finals despite being depleted by injury and illness.

The Uzbeks took the lead against Thailand in the first half with a cool Azizbek Turgunboev finish through the legs of the goalkeeper.

Thailand were the lowest-ranked team left at the tournament but they hit back just before the hour with an even better goal, from distance, by substitute Supachok Sarachat.

Uzbekistan went ahead again midway through the second half when highly rated 20-year-old CSKA Moscow attacker Abbosbek Fayzullaev struck from outside the box.

This time Thailand had no reply, despite some late pressure.

Uzbek coach Katanec felt his side should have scored two more goals in the first half but was delighted with the result, given they were missing several first-choice players.

"Imagine what kind of work I have to do," said the Slovenian, adding that he is missing five players who would normally start.

None will be available to face Qatar on Saturday, he said.

"We also have some virus, many players are ill, but we performed well and our players did their job," he said.

Despite being short of his best side Katanec struck a defiant tone, saying: "We can surprise Qatar, why not?"

Pre-tournament favourites Japan enter the last-16 fray on Wednesday when they play Bahrain, while Iran face Syria.

Celebrated actress Mehazabien Chowdhury has embarked on her cinematic journey with her debut film, "Saba". Currently, she is in South Korea, attending the prestigious Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) to showcase the project.

Just a few days prior, "Saba" was featured at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), garnering positive reviews from audiences and critics alike.

Speaking to The Daily Star from South Korea earlier today, Mehazabien expressed her delight, stating, "I am beyond words. I'm overjoyed to present 'Saba' on an international stage and to represent my country through a film made in my mother tongue. It's a moment of immense pride and happiness for me."

Mehazabien described her experience, stating it was a privilege to work on "Saba" and that being able to collaborate with a team so dedicated to the project was truly rewarding. She shared that the director and co-artistes poured immense effort into the film, which is why it's now gaining international recognition.

"I missed my co-artistes at the festival and especially wished DoP Palash bhai could be here to celebrate this success with me," she added.

The actress revealed that "Saba" has already had two successful screenings at the Busan International Film Festival, with another one lined up for October 9.

Featuring Mehazabien in a prominent role, the film has been selected under the "Window to Asian Films" segment at BIFF.

"People from diverse cultural backgrounds have watched Saba. Witnessing their reactions and expressions throughout the film, I felt that they genuinely enjoyed it. I could sense appreciation during both the humourous and emotional moments," she mentioned.

Reflecting on her experience, Mehazabien revealed that she took part in a Q&A session after the screenings, where she engaged with the audience. "They showed great curiosity about Bangladesh and wanted to know more about our country and film industry. Having the opportunity to speak at such a platform in an international festival like Busan was truly fulfilling."

Responding to another question, Mehazabien shared that she has been an avid viewer of Korean dramas and films since her childhood. "Now to be here because of my own film after all these years is something truly special. It brings me immense joy and satisfaction," she expressed.

The enthusiastic responses from the audience at BIFF filled Mehazabien with happiness. "I couldn't be more thrilled," she added.

When asked about "Saba" being screened at both the Toronto and Busan International Film festivals within such a short timeframe, the actress mentioned that she views this achievement very positively and hopes that more Bangladeshi films, made in Bengali, will continue to reach global audiences.

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Regarding the international recognition "Saba" is garnering even before its official release, she stated that it feels like an unexpected reward and a meaningful milestone in her career.

South Korea has deployed a bedbug sniffer dog at its main Incheon international airport in a bid to reduce the risk of the tiny insects entering the country when athletes, officials and fans return from the Paris Olympics.

Leading the campaign is a two-year-old beagle named Ceco, who pest control company Cesco said is the first and so far only canine trained in the country to detect the odour of pheromones, the chemicals released by bedbugs.

Ceco is capable of sweeping a standard hotel room in under two minutes, company official Kim Min-su said.

The pest control company has teamed up with South Korea's ministries of security and transportation, as well as the Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and is working with airlines and Incheon airport to screen travellers on arrival.

Last year, authorities in Paris raced to contain a nationwide panic over bedbugs as the city geared up for the Olympics, worried that the tiny wingless critters might ruin the event and conducted a campaign to root out any infestation.

"As the global community is gathering in Paris, France, on the occasion of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, there's a chance bedbugs will enter the country following the event," a government press release said.

"Therefore, we are taking a preemptive response to intercept the entry through the Incheon international airport, which is the main gateway to the country."

Ceco and his team were deployed on Friday as more athletes and officials started arriving from Paris and will continue to work through to Sept. 8, the government said.

South Korea sent 144 athletes competing to the Olympics in Paris, which ended on Sunday.

Flights arriving directly from Paris are being disinfected once a week compared to a rate of once a month normally, and the airport quarantine service is being prepared to swing into action if an outbreak is detected in an aircraft or the airport.

South Korea also went through a period of national hysteria in 2023 after reports of suspected infestations at micro-apartments, motel rooms and a traditional spa called a "jjimjilbang" and conducted a widespread disinfection campaign.

Croatian President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic has won many admirers for own performance at the World Cup final in Moscow, where she stood in driving rain at the closing ceremony, smiled and hugged every player from both teams.

Croatia lost to France 4-2 in a thrilling final on Sunday.

Grabar Kitarovic, clad in a red-and white Croatia soccer shirt, stood on the podium with Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron when the medals were given to the players.

While Putin was handed an umbrella, she stood soaked but smiling in the heavy rain, clearly delighted by Croatia's brave showing. Aides eventually found her an umbrella.

"Best scene at the World Cup. Pouring Rain, no umbrella and Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic hugs every single player from Croatia and France, even if Croatia has just lost. That's pure emotional and so warmly. No politics, only sport! Congrats to both teams!," a comment on social media said.

Another one pointed out her graceful demeanour despite Croatia losing the final.

"A heart broken Croatia President looks graceful in defeat hugging every player!," it said.

"She made the fans more emotional," another comment added.

Grabar Kitarovic displayed great passion throughout the tournament, following the team in all the games after the group stage but missing the semi-final against England due to the NATO summit in Brussels.

"The Croatian president is coming out of this as the winner. Football shirt, rain, crying, hair ruined, doesn’t give a damn," was another one among many comments.

Some also saw a display of a great sporting spirit as she hugged players from both teams: "Loved your gesture and sporting spirit during World Cup final game. You are the true epitome of sportsman spirit. Way to Go!"

Later on Monday, the Croatian capital Zagreb will stage a welcome celebration for the soccer team, which achieved the greatest success in the history of Croatian football, surpassing their performance 20 years ago when Croatia won the third place at the World Cup in France.

Can Croatia cross one final hurdle come Sunday night and become the ninth nation to win the World Cup? Standing in their way are France, whose sole ambition will be to claim that coveted piece of glory for the second time at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

As an independent nation, Croatia might not have a rich history as far as their participation in the biggest show on Earth is concerned but since their World Cup debut in 1998, eight years after being liberated from Yugoslavia, it has been a spectacular journey for them.

Coincidentally, it was also the year that France became the seventh nation to win the World Cup, which was on their home soil, by defeating Brazil 3-0 in the final.

More interestingly, it was France who shattered Croatia's dreams by defeating their first 'golden generation' in the semifinal of that tournament 2-1, thanks to two quick blows from Les Bleus defender Lilian Thuram after Croatia's Davor Suker had scored in the 46th minute.

Even in that defeat, Croatia became only the second team after Portugal to have the best finish as debutants. They were placed third following a 2-1 win over Holland in the position deciding game, where Suker scored his sixth goal to win the Golden Boot.

If that was a big statement by an up and coming footballing nation, then the exploits of their next generation, now marshalled by Luka Modric, is no less spectacular as they have reached the finals despite a below-par qualifying campaign.

Croatia launched their campaign in Russia with a 2-0 win against Nigeria before pulling off a magnificent 3-0 win against two-time winners Argentina. They beat Iceland in the last group league game to move into the round of 16 with the maximum number of points.

And in the last three knockout games, where they had to battle it out beyond regulation time, Croatia showed tenacity and the will to fight till the end.

Croatia's round of 16 game against Denmark was a classic example of their never-say-die attitude. After conceding an early goal, they equalised and took the game to extra time, where Modric missed a penalty. However, the Real Madrid midfielder showed courage and stepped up in the shootout to convert his spot kick.

In the quarterfinal against hosts Russia, which they won in the shootout after a 2-2 draw, they faced a similar scenario. This was also the case in the semifinal against England before Mario Mandzukic hit the winner in the 109th minute.

The Juventus forward might not be as prolific as Suker was on the big stage but he has the knack of scoring goals from out of nowhere. Croatia actually have individual winners in Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Ante Rebic and Ivan Perisic, the Inter Milan forward who has been in fine form.

Croatia's last three games might have started slowly but gradually picked up with the progression of the game, which is a hallmark of a good team.

They also showed how athletically fit they are as they had to play for 120 minutes in all three previous games.

Against England at Saint Petersburg, many thought it would be impossible for them to survive if the game went beyond regulation time. Surprisingly though, it was England who slowed down as the game progressed. In addition, when the Turkish referee blew the final whistle, Croatia were heading for another crack at the goal.

France midfielder Paul Pogba previously said that he wants to earn his own star on the shirt on Sunday. However, the world will not be surprised to a see the birth of a new star.