The Korean national team, led by coach Kim Eun-joong, drew 0-0 with Uzbekistan in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup semi-final held at Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on the 16th (Korean time), and lost 1PK3 after a penalty shoot-out.
Korea, which has the record of 메이저놀이터 winning the U-20 Asian Cup 12 times, tried to reach the top for the first time in 11 years since 2012, but failed to reach the final stage. Korea finished the tournament tied for third place with Japan, which they lost in the semifinals. However, it won the 2023 Indonesia U20 World Cup finals, which is given to the top four teams.
On this day, Korea calmly launched a counterattack against the home team, Uzbekistan. In the second half, Kang Seong-jin, a left-footed specialist, was put in, but one shot was not enough. In the last minute of the second half, Uzbekistan’s wave-like offensive was barely overturned by goalkeeper Kim Joon-hong’s saving show.
In the end, joy and sorrow were divided in the penalty shootout. Korea’s first and second kickers, Kang Seong-jin and Kang Sang-yoon, missed one after another. On the other hand, Uzbekistan’s three kickers succeeded in kicking one after another. Korea lost by 1PK3 as kicker Kim Ji-soo’s kick was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper.