Korea Secures Spot in Asian U-23 Football Quarterfinals
Korea has successfully secured a place in the quarterfinals of the U-23 Asian Football Cup despite a recent loss. The defeat occurred on January 13, 2026, as they faced Uzbekistan in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Coached by Lee Min-sung, Korea lost the match 2-0.
Match Overview
The match took place at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium. Uzbekistan’s Behruzjon Karimov scored the first goal early in the second half, followed by Saidumarkhon Saidnurullaev doubling the lead in the 70th minute. Although Korea maintained a significant advantage in ball possession, they managed only one shot on target, with Uzbekistan landing four.
Group Stage Performance
Korea concluded Group C play with a total of four points, achieving one victory, one draw, and one loss. Uzbekistan topped the group, accumulating seven points from two wins and a draw.
- Korea’s initial match ended in a goalless draw against Iran.
- They then rebounded with a 4-2 win against Lebanon.
- Korea’s loss came just moments before Lebanon’s upset against Iran.
Had Iran won, they would have advanced with five points, eliminating Korea from the tournament. However, with this unexpected outcome, Korea qualified as the Group C runner-up.
Upcoming Quarterfinal Match
Korea is set to play the winner of Group D in the quarterfinals. This match will take place on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. local time, translating to 12:30 a.m. Sunday in Korea. Group D includes teams like China, Australia, Iraq, and Thailand, with China currently in the lead.
Historical Context
This year’s tournament marks the seventh edition of the U-23 Asian Cup, an important event in Asian football. Korea previously won the championship in 2020.
Fans eagerly anticipate Korea’s next match in the knockout stage, hoping for another title run.
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