Korea Republic men’s U-20 national team have reached the finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Indonesia 2023 after defeating China PR in the quarter-finals of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup.

Kim Eunjung’s charges came from behind to beat China 3-1 after extra time in the quarter-final at the JAR Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Sunday. Kim Yonghak equalised from the spot midway through the second half before Sung Jinyoung and Choi Seokhyun struck in the first half of extra time, as the Taegeuk Warriors reached the last four and secured passage to the world finals.

Having achieved the initial goal of reaching the World Cup finals, Korea Republic set their sights firmly on winning the continental finals for the first time in 11 years. Standing in their way are hosts Uzbekistan, who are regarded as one of the strongest teams at this age level at the moment. Korea Republic are the most successful side in this tournament with 12 victories, and they also finished runners up in the recent edition in 2018.

Coach Kim opted for an attack-minded line-up, starting Kang Sungjin and Kim Yonghak at the same time for the first time in this tournament as he sought to take control from the outset with an early goal.

Sung Jinyoung (Korea University) led the attack up front; supported by Bae Junho (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Kim Yonghak (Portimonense) and Kang Sungjin (FC Seoul); Kang Sangyoon (Jeonbuk Hyundai) and Lee Seungwon (Gangwon FC) in defensive midfield; Bae Seojun (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Hwang Intaek (Seoul ELand), Choi Seokhyun (Dankook University) and Park Changwoo (Jeonbuk Hyundai) at the back; Kim Joonhong between the sticks.

The attacking approach did not seem to work well in the opening exchanges, as the men in red struggled against the Chinese side that adopted an aggressive style of play. Chances were at a premium, apart from a couple corner kicks by Lee Seungwon midway through the first half. To make matters worse, the captain was stretchered off after suffering an injury – forcing Kim to bring Moon Seungmin (Jeonbuk Hyundai) on to replace the playmaker.

Korea Republic came tantalisingly close to score an opener on 39 minutes, when a point-blank effort from Sung Jinyoung following Bae Junho’s low cross was only to be denied by a reflex save. The Koreans poured on after seizing control but were unable to break through the solid Chinese rearguard.

After a goalless first half, Korea Republic were dealt an early blow three minutes after the break. A defensive error resulted in a quick counter from the Chinese, as Mutellip Iminqari broke into the right side of the area to fire home from an acute angle.

With his side trailing, coach Kim replaced substitute Moon with towering forward Lee Youngjun in order to break the deadlock with his sturdy physique and aerial prowess.

The Chinese defence focused on marking the colossal striker, leaving some space behind the Great Wall that the Koreans delightfully capitalised on after the hour mark. Kim Yonghak dribbled through the defenders against the run of play to unleash a shot on the edge of the area, from which Yang Minjie was adjudged to have touched the ball with his hand. Kim stepped up to take the resulting penalty, and calmly converted it to make it 1-1.

Korea Republic geared up with the equaliser and went on to surge forward, delivering high crosses for Lee Youngjun to connect with a header. Kim Yonghak then saw his effort deflected by a defender and swerve out of play in the closing minutes, as the match ended in a stalemate after 90 minutes.

After knocking on the Chinese goal with a series of attempts, Korea Republic finally took the lead ten minutes into extra time. Following a left-footed cross from Kang Sungjin, Sung Jinyoung controlled the ball with his chest before firing a low shot past Li Hao. Five minutes later, centre-back Choi Seokhyun headed home to put the result beyond doubt.

Another centre-back Kim Jisoo came off the bench to replace Kang in the extra-time second half, as the Korean defence switched to a back four to keep the Chinese at bay until the final whistle was blown.

2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup

Quarter-finals

Korea Republic 3-1 China PR, a.e.t.

Scorers: Mutellip Iminqari 48’; Kim Yonghak 62’ (pen), Sung Jinyoung 100’, Choi Seokhyun 105’

KOR: Kim Joonhong, Bae Seojoon (Cho Youngkwang 91’), Hwang Intaek, Choi Seokhyun, Park Changwoo, Kang Sangyoon, Lee Seungwon (Moon Seungmin 38’, Lee Youngjun 56’, Bae Junho (Kim Heeseung 113’), Kim Yonghak (Park Hyeonbin 106’), Kang Sungjin (Kim Jisoo 106’), Sung Jinyoung