Saad Haqawi (top) of Saudi Arabia vies for the ball during the semifinal match between South Korea and Saudi Arabia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia advanced into the AFC U20 Asian Cup final after defeating South Korea 3-2 on penalties here on Wednesday, joining Australia who beat Japan 2-0 in the other semifinal.

Saudi Arabia and South Korea played to a goalless draw after 120 minutes before goalkeeper Hamed Yousef saved two penalties in the shootout, emerging as Saudi Arabia's hero.

In the other semifinal, Musa Toure broke the deadlock in the 49th minute before Jaylan Pearman netted in the 67th minute to gift the young Socceroos a two-goal victory over Japan. ■

Paul Okon-Engstler (R) of Australia breaks through during the semifinal match between Australia and Japan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

Musa Toure (C) of Australia breaks through during the semifinal match between Australia and Japan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

Musa Toure (L) of Australia vies with Rikuto Kuwahara of Japan during the semifinal match between Australia and Japan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)

Tsuchiya Kaito (R) of Japan breaks through during the semifinal match between Australia and Japan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

Fabian Talladira (R) of Australia passes the ball during the semifinal match between Australia and Japan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

Luka Jovanovic (C) of Australia breaks through during the semifinal match between Australia and Japan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

Daniel Bennie (R) of Australia vies with Rento Takaoka of Japan during the semifinal match between Australia and Japan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)

Rento Takaoka (L) of Japan vies with Sebastian Esposito of Australia during the semifinal match between Australia and Japan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)

Rento Takaoka (R) of Japan breaks through during the semifinal match between Australia and Japan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

Daniel Bennie (R) of Australia vies with Rikuto Kuwahara of Japan during the semifinal match between Australia and Japan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)

Rento Takaoka (3rd R) of Japan shoots during the semifinal match between Australia and Japan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)

Jaylan Pearman of Australia celebrates scoring during the semifinal match between Australia and Japan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)

Players of Australia pose for a photo before the semifinal match between Australia and Japan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)

Players of Japan pose for a photo before the semifinal match between Australia and Japan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)

Trevor James Morgan (1st L), head coach of Australia, reacts before the semifinal match between Australia and Japan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)