Men's soccer: South Korea reach Asian Games final

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The English Premier League star Son Heung-min is just 90 minutes away from a medal that would spare him military service.

Son, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur, played captain to beat Vietnam 3-1 on Wednesday, helping South Korea through to the men's soccer final against Japan. This is his last chance to claim a title that would exempt him from a career threatening military service.

All able-bodied South Korean men must complete 21 months service in the military, but exemptions are offered to athletes who win gold at the Asian Games or a medal of any color at the Olympics.

"We deserved to win, we had lots of chances to score," 26-year-old Son said after the victory. "I think we are better players so we dominated the game."

The defending champions grabbed an early lead when Lee scored the first of his two goals with a left-foot shot after Hwang Ui-Jo tumbled trying to meet the through pass.

Hwang made amends just before the half-hour when Son fed him a through pass which he chipped over goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung.

Vietnam's occasional attacks mostly faltered before reaching the opposition box and South Korean keeper Jo Hyeon-Woo was barely tested by a couple of tame long-range strikes.

Lee scored again 10 minutes into the second half when he latched onto a pass from Hwang Hee-Chan.

Vietnam finally got on the score sheet when Tran Minh Vuong buried a curling free-kick into the net in the 70th minute.

Son said neither he nor his teammates felt any pressure.

"We are so close to gold. We fight for that," he said. "I don't need to say anything, I am ready for that."

The defeat broke the hearts of hundreds of Vietnamese who thronged the Pakansari Stadium, blowing vuvuzela, playing cymbals and waving flags.

Tommy Nguyen, a tour guide, said at least 300 Vietnam fans made a one-day trip to Jakarta to watch the match.

"We love the Vietnamese under-23 team, especially the Korean coach [Park Hang-seo]," said Ngo Thanh Tung, a fan from Halong Bay.

(With input from agencies)