South Korea Secures Second Consecutive Win Over Saudi Arabia... Faces Vietnam in Nagoya Asian Games Quarterfinals

Second-Half Header Goals by Shin Minha and Kim Myungjun Secure 2-0 Victory

The South Korean men's under-23 (U-23) national football team, aiming for their fourth consecutive Asian Games title, secured first place in their group by defeating Saudi Arabia. By doing so, they avoided a difficult opponent, Uzbekistan, in the quarterfinals and will instead face Vietnam.

Led by coach Lee Min-sung, South Korea beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the second Group D match of the men's football group stage at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held on the 22nd at Mizuho Park Rugby Stadium in Nagoya, Japan.

Kim Myungjun is cheering after scoring his second goal in the second group stage match against Saudi Arabia during the men's soccer tournament at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held on the 22nd at Mizuho Park Rugby Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Following a 4-1 victory over Qatar in the first match, South Korea subdued Saudi Arabia as well, achieving two straight wins and clinching first place in Group D.

This tournament saw 15 teams competing due to Iraq's withdrawal. Groups A to C each consist of four teams, but Group D is made up of three: South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. South Korea will play against Vietnam in the quarterfinals at 7:30 p.m. on the 25th.

The first half of the match was frustrating for South Korea. Struggling against Saudi Arabia's intense pressing, South Korea managed their first shot only in the 22nd minute of the first half. In the 34th minute, they faced a dangerous moment from a Saudi Arabia corner kick and were nearly scored against.

Coach Lee Min-sung made an attacking change in the 9th minute of the second half by substituting Bae Junho for Yang Minhyeok.

The much-anticipated opening goal came in the 22nd minute of the second half. From a free-kick situation, Eom Ji-seong delivered a cross, which Shin Min-ha converted with a header to shake the Saudi net.

Just two minutes later, Kim Myungjun's additional goal solidified the win. Bae Hyunseo sent in a cross from the right flank, which Kim Myungjun finished with a header to make it 2-0.

Subsequently, Coach Lee Min-sung brought on Lee Youngjun, Park Seungsoo, and Hwang Doyoon one after another to stabilize the team and maintain a two-goal, clean-sheet victory.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.