News & TVMen's U-23
Taegeuk Warriors bounce back to beat Romania 4-0
25. Jul. 2021 21:57:00 2,029
Korea Republic have bounced back from their opening defeat against New Zealand with a comprehensive victory over Romania. A draw with Honduras in the final group match should suffice to reach the quarter-finals.
Kim Hagbum’s charges beat Romania 4-0 in their second Group B game at Kashima Stadium on Sunday, whilst Honduras came from behind to defeat New Zealand 3-2 earlier in the afternoon. With all four teams tied at three points, Korea Republic have moved into first place on goal difference (KOR +3, NZL HON 0, ROU -3).
Wednesday’s final group game against Honduras takes place at the International Stadium Yokohama, where Korea Republic will be hoping to secure passage to the last eight by claiming at least a draw.
Kim made five changes to the side that had lost against New Zealand, resting Lee Kangin and Kwon Changhoon on the bench with Jeong Seungwon, Park Jisu and Seol Youngwoo given their first starts in the tournament.
Veteran striker Hwang Uijo spearheaded the attack once more, supported by Um Wonsang, Lee Donggyeong and Lee Dongjun; defensive midfielders Jeong Seungwon and Won Dujae started in front of the back four of Kang Yoonseong, Park Jisu, Jeong Taewook and Seol Youngwoo; Song Bumkeun on goal.
The Taegeuk Warriors caused all sorts of problems in the Romanian defence in the opening exchanges, creating their first chance of note with a set-piece after ten minutes. Lee Donggyeong’s corner found Lee Dongjun at the near post, who nodded the ball into the path of an onrushing Hwang. His point-blank volley was initially blocked by Marian Aioani, before Park headed the loose ball just wide of the target.
Another set-piece led to a scoring chance midway through the first half, when centre-back Jeong Taewook glanced a header just over the crossbar following a free-kick from Lee Donggyeong.
The men in red took complete control as Romania found themselves on the back foot. And there was an element of luck in the opening goal on 27 minutes, when Romania captain Marius Marin could only guide the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear Lee Dongjun’s cross from the right.
However, the Romanians had their chance to equalise almost immediately, when Song grabbed the ball inside his box following a backward pass from a defender. An indirect free-kick was given in the goalmouth, but Song did well to clear the ball away from danger.
And there was another twist on the stroke of half-time, as Ion Gheorghe received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
With the numerical advantage and one-goal lead, Korea Republic came out strong into the second half. Kim Hagbum made his intentions clear by bringing Kwon Changhoon on for Jeong Seungwon, as his side surged forward in search of more goals.
It is fair to say that it was one-way traffic from then on, with Hwang breaking free on a through ball from Lee Donggyeong only to drag his low shot straight at Aioani. They kept on knocking the door until the hour mark, when Lee’s low shot ricocheted off a defender before Um managed to guide the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
The Taegeuk Warriors did not rest on the two-goal cushion but went on to extend the lead. Lee Kangin and Kim Jingyu came off the bench to replace Hwang and Lee Donggyeong, as coach Kim deployed Kangin as a false nine.
And it took only ten minutes for the Valencia starlet to register a brace after his introduction on 78 minutes: Lee converted the penalty awarded to Seol on 84 minutes, before finishing off a pass from Kang to round off the resounding victory.
Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020
Group B
Korea Republic 4-0 Romania
Scorers: Marin 27’(o.g.), Um Wonsang 59’, Lee Kangin 84’(pen), 90’
KOR: Song Bumkeun; Kang Yoonseong, Park Jisu, Jeong Taewook, Seol Youngwoo; Jeong Seungwon (Kwon Changhoon 46’), Won Dujae; Um Wonsang (Kim Jaewoo 90’), Lee Donggyeong (Kim Jingyu 78’), Lee Dongjun (Song Minkyu 65’); Hwang Uijo (Lee Kangin 78’)
Team Hagbum slump to 1-0 defeat against New Zealand
Team Hagbum defeat Honduras 6-0 to reach last eight
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