The men’s soccer team at the 19th Asian Games has booked its place in the final. South Korea will face ‘nemesis’ Japan in the final.
Hwang Sun-hong’s men’s soccer team defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 in the Asian Games semifinals at the Huanglong Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET, led by a multi-goal performance from “German Wave” Jung Woo-young. South Korea is now in the final and will try to win a third consecutive title. They will face Japan, who defeated Hong Kong to advance to the final.
Jung Woo-young scored the game’s first goal early on. In the fourth minute of the first half, she headed home a cross from Uhm Won-sang on a free kick. However, the lead didn’t last long as Korea conceded a direct free kick in the 23rd minute after Baek Seung-ho was fouled in front of the arc. The first half could have ended 1-1, but Korea capitalized on their chances. In the 37th minute, Hong Hyun-seok’s diagonal pass was headed into the box by Baek Seung-ho on the flank, and as Lee Han-beom contested, Jung Woo-young slipped in to score the second goal. Hong Hyun-seok’s left foot, Baek Seung-ho’s timing, Lee Han-beom’s physicality, and Jung Woo-young’s flair all stood out.
Despite the one-goal victory, which secured their place in the final, there was one player who was not smiling. It was captain Baek Seung-ho. Following his mistake in the round of 16 against Kyrgyzstan, he was criticized for a foul that led to the equalizer. He was also unlucky when the free kick deflected off Baek Seung-ho’s head and into the goal.
However, it’s hard to see how such a play can be criticized against a player who made it to the final. In the foul that led to the first goal, Uzbek left midfielder Ibrohim Halil Yuldashev made a bold break from near the center line. He easily shook off the tight defense of Jung Woo-young, Hwang Jae-won, and Cho Young-wook and drew a foul on Baek Seung-ho. With Yuldashev’s pace, if he could get past Baek Seung-ho, it could lead to a shooting opportunity in the box. The foul wasn’t the best defense, but it wasn’t the worst option either.레고토토
Despite the pressure, Baek Seung-ho did a good job throughout the game. His weighty play gave us the upper hand in the midfield battle, and his bold tackling and covering play allowed Lee Kang-in, Hong Hyun-seok, and other midfielders up front to be more aggressive. It’s hard to say whether it’s fair to criticize a player who puts his heart and soul into everything he does while wearing a taegeuk while forgetting about his hard work and dedication.
There is also criticism of the players who had several shots from the front but failed to convert them into goals. It seems more necessary to believe in the squad and send a message of support before the final game against Korea.