Korea Republic men’s national team have defeated China PR and Hong Kong to set up an intriguing finale against Japan in the E-1 Championship.

Kang Sungjin netted a brace and Hong Chul added another as Paulo Bento’s charges defeated Hong Kong 3-0 in their second match of the EAFF E-1 Championship at Toyota Stadium in Nagoya, Japan on Sunday. Kang became the 11th youngest scorer for Korea Republic at the age of 19 years and 120 days, just behind Park Jisung who broke his duck when he was 19 years and 103 days old. Korea Republic are set to round off their campaign against Japan next Wednesday.

Bento made quite a few changes from the side that started against China, deploying no fewer than three debutants – Song Bumkeun, Lee Kihyuk and Lee Jaeik. Cho Youngwook started as a lone striker, flanked by Song Minkyu and Kang Sungjin; Kim Jingyu, Kim Donghyun and Lee Kihyuk in midfield; Hong Chul, Lee Jaeik, Park Jisu and Kim Moonhwan at the back; Song Bumkeun between the posts.

It was fair to say that Kang stole the show in the afternoon. Having made his international debut as a substitute in the tournament opener against China, Kang started on the right flank where he proved himself with individual skills and resilient mentality.

And it was Kang that drew first blood after 17 minutes, when his powerful effort from distance ricocheted off a defender and the crossbar before hitting the back of the net. Kang could have doubled the advantage when Song put him through on goal, but his right footed shot went just wide the left post.

Lee Kihyuk, for his part, also had a memorable debut. Deployed as an attacking midfielder alongside Kim Jingyu, Lee showed off his wide vision by delivering long balls across the field as the men in red took control. In an otherwise uneventful first half, Kim Moonhwan’s effort following a lobbed pass from Kim Jingyu was somehow cleared with an awkward header by the goalkeeper.

Bento made two changes during the interval. Centre-back Park Jisu was replaced by another defender Cho Yumin, which was a norm, but midfielder Paik Seungho came off the bench to replace right-back Kim Moonhwan and went on to play in an unfamiliar position. Cho Guesung was brought on for Cho Youngwook, as the men in red geared up midway through the second half.

Nevertheless, the Taegeuk Warriors struggled to breach the Hong Kong rearguard until Hong broke through on 74 minutes. The veteran fullback connected with a neat pass from Kim Jingyu to lurk into the area, before unleashing a powerful, left-foot effort into the net.

With the two-goal cushion in mind, Bento made two more switches to rest Kim Jingyu and Lee Jaeik, who were replaced by Lee Yeongjae and Kim Jusung – with the latter also making his senior international debut. As if the two-goal lead was not enough, Kang Sungjin scored his second of the afternoon with a header off a Hong Chul cross with four minutes remaining. He then celebrated his goal with an eye-catching gesture, pointing at his palm with his finger, just like he did in the first half.

2022 EAFF E-1 Championship

Korea Republic 3-0 Hong Kong

Scorers: Kang Sungjin (17’, 86’), Hong Chul (29’)

Korea : Song Bumkeun(GK), Hong Chul, Lee Jaeik (Kim Jusung 76’), Park Jisu (Cho Yumin 46’), Kim Moonhwan (Paik Seungho 46’), Song Minkyu, Kim Jingyu (Lee Yeongjae 76’), Lee Kihyuk, Kang Sungjin, Cho Youngwook (Cho Guesung 64’)