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Kang Seong-jin of Korea, left, makes an attempt a shot previous Rei Umeki of Japan in the course of the groups’ semifinal match on the Asian Soccer Confederation U-23 Asian Cup at King Abdullah Sports activities Metropolis Corridor Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jan, 20. Yonhap
Nicely, the primary main soccer match of the yr didn’t go too effectively for South Korea. The U-23 Asian Cup marketing campaign ended on the semifinal stage with a 1-0 loss to Japan in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. On the floor, that’s not a horrible end result — shedding to the defending champion — however there was somewhat extra to it than that.
To recap, the 16-team match started with a 0-0 draw in opposition to Iran. Then got here the anticipated 4-2 win over Lebanon, placing the younger Taeguk Warriors in charge of the group. A draw within the closing recreation in opposition to Uzbekistan would have been sufficient to safe high spot.
As a substitute, Uzbekistan gained 2-0, and deservedly so. Korea was outfought and outthought in a worrying show. “I believe I made some tactical errors,” coach Lee Min-sung admitted. “Additionally, there may need been some confusion among the many gamers as we made lineup adjustments. An important factor is to clear up these points and put together for our subsequent match as greatest we are able to.”
That subsequent recreation got here in opposition to Australia, a crew that’s by no means straightforward to beat, but it surely ended 1-0 to Korea. It was a strong victory and instructed that the crew was enhancing because the match progressed.
However Japan was at all times going to be powerful. The Samurai Blue fielded a match squad composed solely of under-20 gamers, already looking forward to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. It was virtually a no-win state of affairs for Korea. A victory could be judged in mild of Korea’s larger age and expertise. A defeat, as painful because it at all times is in opposition to their outdated rival, could be extra embarrassing on condition that Japan’s younger aspect wasn’t even targeted on successful this match, however on constructing for the long run.
Ultimately, Japan gained 1-0 and absolutely deserved the end result. Within the first half, they have been dominant — just too good for the Reds.
“I believe our gamers have been too timid. Then we fought again within the second half, and it’s a disgrace we didn’t rating,” Lee mentioned. “I hope our gamers will use this as a possibility to develop.”
In three of their 5 video games, Korea failed to attain. “In the end, you need to rating to win in soccer,” the coach mentioned. “We now have to enhance in that space.”
Pundits and observers pointed to an absence of urgency within the crew, particularly after falling behind. It’s one other subject that have to be addressed. As soon as once more, Japan seems to be clearly forward of Korea in soccer on a number of ranges. The nation has lengthy invested in youth improvement and maintains a forward-thinking method — evident in the way it used this match, which most groups merely intention to win, as a device for long-term improvement.
There can be extra tournaments to return this yr, and one can solely hope for higher outcomes and stronger performances after an underwhelming begin.
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