Korea Republic men’s U-20 national team continued their unbeaten run in the group stage to reach the quarter-finals of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup.

Kim Eunjung’s side fought out a goalless draw with Tajikistan in their final Group C match staged at Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Wednesday. Having collected seven points (two wins and a draw) from three games, the Taegeuk Warriors won their group to reach the quarter-finals, where they will face Group D runners-up at the JAR Stadium in Tashkent on Sunday afternoon.

Kim opted for the 4-1-4-1 formation that he had used in the first two games, deploying Sung Jinyoung (Korea University) as a lone striker; Lee Junsang (Seongnam FC), Kim Heeseung (Daegu FC), Kang Sangyoon (Jeonbuk Hyundai) and Kim Yonghak (Portimonense) in midfield; Kim Gyeonghwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen) as a defensive midfielder in front of Bae Seojoon (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Choi Seokhyun (Dankook University), Kim Jisoo (Seongnam FC) and Cho Youngkwang at the back; and Kim Joonhong between the sticks, wearing the captain’s armband on behalf of Lee Seungwon who was rested on the bench.

Korea Republic surged forward right from the off, and after eight minutes, fullback Cho Youngkwang broke into the right flank to lay the ball off to Kim Yonghak. The Portimonense starlet broke through a defender to unleash a left-footed shot that went just over the crossbar.

Tajikistan had their chances midway through the first half. On 26 minutes, Ashmamadov tried his luck with an audacious effort from the right, but Kim Joonhong did well to keep the ball away from danger. Five minutes later, Aktamov intercepted a loose ball to attempt a shot that swerved just past the upright.

The men in red found a breakthrough from the left flank. On 32 minutes, Lee Junsang won a free-kick on the edge of the area following a reckless challenge from the opposition. Kang Sangyoon stepped up to send a cross into a crowded goalmouth, but Kim Heeseung could not connect with a header as the ball went out of play.

Korea Republic struggled to create scoring opportunities, with their wingers constantly marauding on both flanks. On the opposite end, the Tajiks broke against the run of play on the stroke of halftime, but Kim Joonhong denied a solo effort from Kamolov who had dribbled through the midfield to the edge of the box.

Coach Kim responded by bringing playmaker Lee Seungwon on for Kim Heeseung during the interval, with Kang Sungjin coming off the bench to replace defensive midfielder Kim Gyeonghwan.

However, the Taegeuk Warriors still struggled to breach the Tajik rearguard, unable to create any clear-cut chances midway through the second half. Kim then rang another change on 65 minutes, replacing Kim Yonghak with Moon Seungmin who made his first appearance in this tournament.

Despite making a defensive-minded approach throughout the game, Tajikistan needed three points in order to reach the quarter-finals. As the Tajiks geared up to grab a winner in the closing minutes, Korea Republic waited for their chances to counter against the run of play. With ten minutes remaining, Kang Sungjin broke free on the left flank to cross the ball over to Lee Youngjun on the opposite side. Lee then found Moon lurking into the area, only for Moon to see his effort smash the upper side of the left post.

Neither side could score during the five minutes of added time as the match ended as a goalless stalemate, which was just enough for Korea Republic to reach the last eight as group winners.

2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup

Group C

Korea Republic 0-0 Tajikistan

KOR: Kim Joonhong, Bae Seojoon, Choi Seokhyun, Kim Jisoo, Cho Youngkwang, Kim Gyeonghwan (Lee Seungwon 46’), Lee Junsang, Kim Heeseung (Kang Sungjin 46’), Kang Sangyoon, Kim Yonghak (Moon Seungmin 65’), Sung Jinyoung (Lee Youngjun 73’)