dpa
Doha
Hwang Hee Chan said team-mate Son Heung Min predicted he would fire South Korea to glory ahead of his dramatic injury-time winner against Portugal.
South Korea are through to the last 16 of the World Cup after they came from a goal down to secure a 2-1 win at the Education City Stadium on Friday.
The South Korean players huddled in a nervous circle to watch the final extraordinary minutes of Uruguay’s clash with Ghana unfold on mobile phones. But after Uruguay failed to add to their two-goal advantage, South Korea celebrated taking the runner-up spot in Group H behind Portugal by virtue of scoring more goals than the South Americans.
Wolves’ Hwang came on as a 66th-minute substitute before he thrashed home Son’s assist following a superb dribble and pass by the Tottenham forward directly from a Portugal corner.
"Before the match Son said, ‘you are going to create something today, we trust you’,” said Hwang.
"When Son got the ball I was convinced that he would pass it to me. It was an excellent pass and it made my job much more easier.
"It was difficult waiting for the result of the match between Uruguay and Ghana, but we proved once again that we could make it to the knockout stage.
"As a Korean citizen I am extremely proud, and I would like to thank all the Korean supporters. I am glad I can give them this present.” Portugal, whose Round 16 spot had already been secured, were bidding to win all three group games.
But following Ricardo Horta’s fifth-minute strike they were guilty of taking their foot off the accelerator.
Kim Young Gwon hauled South Korea level on 27 minutes before Hwang’swinner.
"We lost our organization, our focus, and Korea controlled more of the game,” said Portugal head coach Fernando Santos.