Coach Hwang Seon-hong of the U-23 national team high-fives with players during the 2022 U-23 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup Group C Group 3 match against Thailand held at Fahtakor Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on the 8th. Provided by the Korea Football Association
The under-23 (U-23) national team, led by coach Hwang Seon-hong, will face Japan’s ‘enemy’ in the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup. Attention is focused on whether he will be able to challenge to the top of Asia by blaspheming for a comeback defeat six years ago.
Japan defeated Tajikistan 3-0 in the final group D match of the 2022 Asian Football Federation (AFC) U-23 Asian Cup held at Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on the 9th (Korean time). However, in another Group D match held at the same time, Saudi Arabia beat the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 2-0 to take the first place in Group D. As a result, Japan, who advanced to the quarterfinals with 2nd place in the group (7 points, gain and loss +4), will face Korea in the quarterfinals. Korea defeated Thailand the day before (the 8th) and advanced to the quarterfinals with the first place in Group C.
The U-23 match between Korea and Japan is the first since the 2016 final. Korea Republic, led by coach Shin Tae-yong at the time, took a 2-0 lead over Japan with goals from Kwon Chang-hoon and Jin Seong-wook, but they were beaten with three goals in the second half only. ‘Defending Champion’ For Korea, this is a good opportunity to avenge the defeat of its seniors six years ago. In the record against opponents in this age group, they have a slight lead with 7 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses. The Korea-Japan match will be held at the Pachtakor Stadium in Tashkent at 10 pm on the 12th.
Meanwhile, Japan took the lead in the 11th minute of the first half. At the end of the first half, after Masuki Guryu had a left-footed volley from the right side of the post to cut through the post during a corner kick, Rihito Yamamoto induced a foul to get a penalty kick, but the kicker Masuki’s ground ball hit the left post.
However, in the 11th minute of the second half, Japan scored 2-0 with an extra goal from Sato Gein who intercepted a pass mistake by the opposing goalkeeper. Saudi Arabia will face Vietnam, led by Gong Oh-kyun.
Dongsoon Choi reporter dosool@hankookilbo.com