The South Korea U-23 men’s soccer team, led by coach Lee Min-sung, defeated Saudi Arabia to advance to the quarterfinals as Group D winners.
Although they failed to score in the first half, two header goals within two minutes from the 22nd minute of the second half decided the match.
This victory was more than simply a second consecutive group-stage win; it determined their first opponent in the tournament.
3-Line Summary
1. South Korea defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0
2. Header goals came in the 22nd and 24th minutes of the second half
3. As Group D winners, they will face Vietnam in the quarterfinals
The Flow of the Saudi Arabia Match Changed from the 22nd Minute of the Second Half
South Korea defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the second match of Group D in the men’s soccer tournament at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held on September 22 at Mizuho Park Rugby Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. Following their 4-1 win over Qatar, they secured first place in Group D with two wins from two matches and 6 points.
The first half was a period in which South Korea failed to score despite leading in shots. According to a report by Gyeonggi Shinmun, South Korea recorded 7 shots in the first half but, unlike Saudi Arabia’s 4, failed to convert them into goals. The match, which had not been opening up under Saudi Arabia’s pressure, changed on a set piece in the second half.
In the 22nd minute of the second half, Shin Min-ha headed home Eom Ji-sung’s free-kick cross to score the opening goal. Then, 2 minutes later, Kim Myeong-jun connected with Bae Hyeon-seo’s cross with his head to add another goal. Both goals came from the use of aerial balls, and South Korea finished the match without conceding.
Kim Myeong-jun’s Consecutive Goals and Lee Young-jun’s Late Arrival
Kim Myeong-jun also scored against Qatar, recording goals in two consecutive group-stage matches. His additional goal against Saudi Arabia allowed South Korea to move two goals ahead instead of merely protecting a one-goal lead.
Lee Young-jun joined the national team late because of circumstances involving his club, Swiss side Grasshopper Zurich, but came on as a substitute in the second half against Saudi Arabia. In a Yonhap News report, Lee Young-jun said it was difficult to say that he was in good condition because of jet lag and travel fatigue. This appearance was the first time he stepped onto the pitch after joining the national team ahead of the second group-stage match.
In assessing the national team’s strength, his physical condition and role after actually appearing are more important than whether he starts. Lee Young-jun’s arrival broadened the attacking options, but it does not mean that his condition has fully recovered.
Group Winners Set Up Vietnam as the Quarterfinal Opponent
Group D consisted of 3 teams—South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar—and with Qatar losing both of its matches, South Korea and Saudi Arabia had already secured quarterfinal berths before their head-to-head match. However, the first- and second-place teams received different quarterfinal pairings.
By finishing first in the group, South Korea will face Vietnam, the second-place team in Group C, in the quarterfinals. Gyeonggi Shinmun and Goal.com reported that the quarterfinal will be held at 7:30 p.m. on September 25 at the same Mizuho Park Rugby Stadium as the Saudi Arabia match. This was the pairing and schedule announced at the time of reporting, and the match result was not yet included in this basis.
South Korea won the men’s soccer gold medal at the 2014 Incheon, 2018 Jakarta-Palembang, and 2023 Hangzhou Games. If they win this tournament, they will achieve 4 consecutive gold medals. The match against Saudi Arabia will remain the match that confirmed Vietnam as their first tournament opponent in pursuit of that goal.
References
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