"Strong favorite" → "Live to death!" Korea and Japan advance to the semifinals side by side...Will South Korea's U-20 clash again in the final
"Strong favorite" → "Live to death!" Korea and Japan advance to the semifinals side by side...Will South Korea's U-20 clash again in the final
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Will the Korea-Japan match be held for the second time in 2025? Korea's U-20 national team led by head coach Lee Chang-won has advanced to the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-20 Asian Cup in 2025. The team won the quarterfinal match against Uzbekistan held in Shenzhen, China on Sunday after a close game of penalty shootout. Korea once had a 3-1 lead, but conceded two goals in the last minute of the second half to allow the team to tie the game. The two teams couldn't decide whether to win or lose in the playoff. In the end, Korea won the penalty shootout thanks to stellar performance by its goalie Hong Seong-min (Pohang Steelers). With the win, Korea has earned a berth to advance to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup finals, which will be given to the team that advances to the semifinals of this year's event. This year's U-20 World Cup will be held in Chile from September to October. Korea has advanced to the semifinals for two consecutive years at the 2019 and 2023 U-20 competitions.
"It was an important match, and I feel great," Hong said after confirming his qualification for the World Cup. "Thank you to all the field players, my friends, and my defenders who trusted me. I will run for the championship." Korea has become the largest winner of the U-20 Asian Cup 12 times. It is seeking to regain the top position in 13 years since 2012. Korea will have a showdown with Saudi Arabia over its advance to the final in Shenzhen, China on Wednesday. "The semifinal match against Saudi Arabia has eased the burden (of qualifying for the World Cup). I will do my best to bring out everything the players want to do without any pressure. I will prepare more thoroughly and challenge myself," Lee said. "I feel pressured and touched because I showed you a dramatic game (to fans). I ask for your support and support as MZ generation players are challenging themselves again in the future."
If Korea advances to the finals, another Korea-Japan match could take place depending on the circumstances. Coincidentally, Japan also advanced to the semifinals after defeating Iran in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals. It will face Australia in the semifinals. If Korea and Japan win each other, it could be a historic final. According to Japanese media, Japanese coach Yuzo Funakoshi said, "We want soccer that can overwhelm the opponent team. If we keep confidence so that we don't regret it, we can win." Korea and Japan had a showdown in the final Group D match of this year's event. At the time, Korea was dragged by the opponent team by allowing the first goal. However, the score was tied 1-1 by Kim Tae-won 먹튀검증 (Portimonens) in the extra time of the second half. Korea advanced to the tournament by ranking first in the group with two wins and one draw (seven points).