Korea Republic men’s U-23 national team defeated Japan to finish on top of Group B and take on Indonesia in the quarter-finals.
 

Substitute Kim Minwoo struck the only goal of the game as Hwang Sunhong’s charges edged Japan 1-0 in their third group match of the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup staged at Jassim Bin Hammad Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Monday. Kim broke the deadlock with a point-blank header off a corner in the 75th minute to secure the win.
 

The result put the Taegeuk Warriors three points clear of the Samurai Blue, and set up a quarter-final date with Indonesia led by coach Shin Taeyong on Thursday night.
 

These finals also act as the final round of qualifying for Paris 2024 Olympic Games: top three teams qualify directly for the finals, with the fourth placed team to play off against Guinea that finished fourth in the African qualifiers. A total of 16 teams are divided into four groups of four teams, with top two sides from each group advancing to the knockout phase.
 

Hwang made no fewer than ten changes to the side that had faced China PR last week, switching to a 3-4-3 formation: Jeong Sangbin started as a lone striker flanked by Hong Yoonsang and Hong Sihoo; Kim Dongjin and Choi Kangmin in central midfield with Lee Taeseok and Jang Siyoung on the flanks; Cho Hyuntaek, Lee Kanghee and Lee Jaewon at the back; and Baek Jongbeom between the sticks.

Korea Republic managed to improvise with a new-look back three orchestrated by centre-back Lee Kanghee, with Lee Taeseok and Jang Siyoung marauding on the flanks to reinforce the rearguard and keep the Japanese at bay.
 

The men in red had their first chance of note after eight minutes, when Nozawa Taishi fumbled the ball from a corner. Lee Jaewon lurked into the goalmouth with only the keeper to beat, but could not connect with the loose ball.
 

At the opposite end, Japan sought their chances from the flanks with Hirakawa Yu slaloming into the left channel. Korea Republic struggled to prevent the winger from breaching into their rearguard, although they managed to survive the havoc.
 

Korea Republic had their best chance of scoring against the run of play on the stroke of half time, as Hong Sihoo broke into the right side to put Jeong Sangbin through on goal. Jeong laid the ball over to Hong Yoonsang, who could not find the right space and time to shoot under pressure.

After a goalless first half, coach Hwang called up some of the key players at his disposal with Kim Minwoo, Hwang Jaewon, Kang Seongjin and Kang Sangyoon came off the bench early in the second half. Hwang Jaewon and Kang Sangyoon operated as central midfielders, with Kim Minwoo on the flanks. Kang Seongjin replaced Jeong Sangbin up front.
 

The reshuffle paid dividends almost immediately, as Hong Yoonsang found Jang Siyoung lurking into the right side on 68 minutes. Jang’s cross fell into the path of an onrushing Kang Seongjin, who glanced a header just wide of the left post.
 

Korea Republic kept up the momentum to draw first blood after 75 minutes. Lee Taeseok sent an inch-perfect corner from the right, and Kim Minwoo was on hand to head the ball in from close range. It was Lee Taeseok’s third assist of the tournament.

Japan fought back to launch a series of attack in the closing minutes, but Korea Republic held firm to protect the lead. Hosoya Mao turned around a defender to shoot inside the area only to see his effort blocked by Lee Jaewon, before Sato Kein’s half volley went over the crossbar. Moments later, Fujita Joel’s low shot from the edge of the area was denied by Jang Siyoung.
 

The Japanese kept knocking on the door deep into added time, with Sato smashing the woodwork with a point-blank header. However, the Taegeuk Warriors held on to smother the waves and claim the hard-fought victory.

2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup

Group B

Korea Republic 1-0 Japan

Goal: Kim Minwoo (75’)

KOR: Baek Jongbeom(GK), Cho Hyuntaek (Kang Sangyoon 62’), Lee Kanghee, Lee Jaewon (Paik Sanghoon 86’), Lee Taeseok, Jang Siyoung, Kim Dongjin (Kim Minwoo 58’), Choi Kangmin (Hwang Jaewon 58’), Hong Yoonsang, Hong Sihoo, Jeong Sangbin (Kang Seongjin 62’)