After a heavy 0-3 defeat to U23 Japan in the quarter-finals of the 2022 tournament, U23 South Korea once again failed to overcome their opponent, U23 Japan. This result is even more heartbreaking when U23 Japan fielded a squad of U21 players, two years younger than U23 South Korea, with the goal of reaching the Los Angeles (LA) Olympics 2028," South Korea's Kookje newspaper shared.
In the quarter-finals of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, U23 Korea with a squad that was almost at the right age and more experienced lost to U23 Japan - which had many new players aged 20 and 21 with a score of 0-1. The kimchi team played very passively in the first half, with almost no notable plays. In the second half, despite trying to equalize, their combinations and finishing were all inaccurate.
Throughout the tournament, U23 Korea has revealed weaknesses in both attack and defense, failing to show clear tactical solutions or potential to change generations, leaving them with only challenges to overcome.
Although coach Lee Min-sung declared after the match: "I hope the players will use this tournament as an opportunity to mature further", Korean football has not changed compared to the disastrous defeat in the Asian Cup quarter-finals in Qatar two years ago.
If this trend continues, the goal of winning the gold medal in men's football at the 4th consecutive ASIAD will be very difficult," Korean media commented.
According to assessments by Korean newspapers, at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, U23 Korea lost comprehensively to U23 Uzbekistan and U23 Japan. This makes fans worried about the team's performance, ahead of ASIAD 2026. South Korean men's football has won gold medals in men's football in the last 3 ASIADs.
These things created a lot of pressure for U23 Korea before the third-place match with U23 Vietnam. Under the guidance of Korean coach Kim Sang-sik, U23 Vietnam played quite impressively at this year's AFC U23 Championship, with 4 wins and 1 loss.
According to Korean media, the match against U23 Vietnam is an opportunity to restore their honor, as well as regain the trust of fans.
The U23 Vietnam vs U23 Korea match will take place at 10:00 PM on January 23.
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