South Korea’s improbable Asian Cup escapes give the feeling that this could just be their year

It did not come as late as the 99th-minute equaliser on Tuesday that led a thrilling penalty shootout triumph over Saudi Arabia in the round of 16 of the AFC Asian Cup.

But it was equally dramatic, highly unlikely, and beggaring belief.

As South Korea looked destined to be heading out of the Asian Cup for the second game running as they trailed Australia 1-0 with the clock ticking over into injury-time, the one man who their hopes are primarily resting on rose to the occasion — inspiring a come-from-behind 2-1 win that sent them into a semifinal tie with Jordan.

Son Heung-Min is a consummate professional who does not know how and when to give up whenever he is out on the field. He leads by example and his sheer presence is far more valuable than goals and assists, even if he usually delivers those in truckloads.

What he brings to South Korea cannot be…