Korea Republic defeated hosts China as they went a step closer to winning their third consecutive gold medal at the Asian Games.

Hwang Sunhong’s charges defeated China PR 2-0 in the quarter-final staged at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou on Sunday, with Hong Hyunseok and Song Minkyu scoring in the first half. Korea Republic will face Uzbekistan in the semi-finals at the same venue on Wednesday evening.

Hwang made no fewer than seven changes to the side that started against Kyrgyz Republic, resting his key players Lee Kangin, Jeong Wooyeong and Seol Youngwoo on the bench.

Cho Youngwook started up front as a lone striker supported by Goh Youngjun; Song Minkyu, Hong Hyunseok, Paik Seungho and An Jaejun in midfield; Park Kyuhyun, Park Jinseob, Lee Hanbeom and Hwang Jaewon at the back; with Lee Gwangyeon between the sticks.

Having achieved mixed results with a win and a defeat in a series of friendly matches against the Chinese in June, Hwang came up with a tailor-made approach against the hosts focusing on effective pressure and solid defending. The priority was to build on the stable organisation against the hosts, who were eager to cause a major upset in front of a sell-out crowd.

The defensive-minded approach paid off in the opening exchanges as the visitors took control right from the start. Hong Hyunseok put his side ahead with a free-kick after 18 minutes, curling a magnificent effort into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. China fought back almost immediately but struggled to find a breakthrough against the Korean rearguard.

Korea Republic went further ahead on 35 minutes. Cho Youngwook broke into the right channel to send a low cross into the path of an onrushing Song Minkyu, who slotted the ball home from close range to silence the vociferous home crowd.

Trailing by two goals, the Chinese missed a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit on the stroke of half time. Paik Seungho’s pass was intercepted against the run of play, before Dai Weijun’s pointblank header ricocheted off the left post.

The hosts came out strongly into the second half with some tough tackles to intimidate the visitors, who did not step back in the battle to regain control in the middle of the park.

Hwang responded by bringing on a trio of Lee Kangin, Jeong Wooyeong and Um Wonsang at the same time on 63 minutes to pile the pressure on the hosts. Jeong, who had scored five goals in this tournament, fleet-footed Um and creative midfielder Lee reinforced the formidable attack to keep their opponents at bay.

The substitutes made an impact four minutes later, when Um sent a low cross into the crowded goalmouth. As the Chinese defence struggled to clear the ball from danger, Cho latched onto the loose ball to unleash a powerful shot that was denied by a stretched foot of a defender right in front of goal.

Korea Republic dominated in the closing minutes to seal a 2-0 victory to march into the last four.

Quarter-finals

Korea Republic 2-0 China PR

Goals: Hong Hyunseok 18’, Song Minkyu 35’

KOR: Lee Gwangyeon, Park Kyuhyun (Seol Youngwoo 86’), Park Jinseob, Lee Hanbeom, Hwang Jaewon, Song Minkyu (Jeong Wooyeong 63’), Hong Hyunseok (Jung Hoyeon 76’), Paik Seungho, An Jaejun (Um Wonsang 63’), Cho Youngwook, Goh Youngjun (Lee Kangin 63’)