[Nagoya AG] Lee Youngjun Equalizes, Bae Junho Scores Winner... Lee Minseong's Squad Reaches Final, Eyes Fourth Straight Title

Eom Jiseong Provides Two Assists
Korea to Face Winner of Japan vs. Uzbekistan in October 3 Final

The South Korean under-23 (U-23) men's national football team, aiming for a fourth consecutive Asian Games title, has advanced to the final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after defeating China.

On September 30 at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan, the U-23 national team, managed by Lee Minseong, secured a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against China in the semifinals of the men's football tournament at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. South Korea conceded the opening goal to Wang Yidong as their defense collapsed against a Chinese counterattack in the 22nd minute of the first half. However, Lee Youngjun equalized with a header in the 33rd minute of the first half, and Bae Junho scored the game-winning header in the 37th minute of the second half. South Korea will face the winner of the Japan-Uzbekistan semifinal, which will be held later the same day, in the final on October 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Coach Lee Minseong started Lee Youngjun as the main striker. Despite joining the national team late due to his club schedule, Lee Youngjun had previously led the team to victory in the quarterfinal against Vietnam by scoring two goals.

Lee Youngjun is celebrating after scoring the equalizing goal in the 33rd minute of the first half during the men's soccer semifinal match against China at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held on the 30th at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Bae Junho, Lee Hyunju, and Um Jisung played behind Lee Youngjun in the attacking midfield positions. Lee Seungwon and Hwang Doyoon formed the central midfield, while Bae Hyunseo, Kim Jisoo, Shin Minha, and Choi Seokhyun made up the four-man defensive line.

From the start, South Korea aggressively attacked the flanks, especially through Um Jisung, and dictated the attacking flow. China responded with tough defense, resulting in South Korea struggling to create decisive scoring chances despite dominating the attack.

Continuously pressuring China, South Korea was caught off guard by a single counterattack, conceding the opening goal. In the 22nd minute of the first half, China lofted a ball forward near the halfway line, and Wang Yidong broke the offside trap, heading the ball ahead before finding the back of the net. After scoring the opening goal, China pulled even their forward players back below the halfway line to focus on defense.

It could have been a difficult situation for South Korea, but Lee Youngjun quickly leveled the score. Even after conceding the goal, South Korea continued to send balls into the opposing penalty box. Eventually, the pressure forced a corner as China's defenders failed to clear the ball properly inside the area. From Um Jisung's cross, Lee Youngjun connected with a header to equalize 1-1 in the 33rd minute of the first half.

South Korea continued to dominate offensively into the second half.

In the 6th minute of the second half, they missed a promising chance. Um Jisung attempted a sharp curling shot from the left side of the penalty area, and the Chinese goalkeeper's save sent the ball to Lee Youngjun, who was inside the box. Instead of shooting, Lee chose to pass to the center, but there was no teammate rushing in, so the opportunity was lost.

Bae Junho is celebrating after scoring the go-ahead goal in the 37th minute of the second half during the men's soccer semifinal match against China at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan, on the 30th. Photo by Yonhap News.

In the 33rd minute of the second half, South Korea faced a dangerous moment. After a Chinese cross from the right flank, Kim Jisoo's attempt to clear with his head redirected the ball toward the Korean goal and it almost became an own goal, but narrowly missed the left goalpost. From the resulting corner, Liu Haofan produced a header on target, but goalkeeper Kim Junheung held the ball securely.

The long-awaited go-ahead goal came in the 37th minute of the second half. Um Jisung sent a deep cross from the left into the penalty area, and Bae Junho, arriving from the right, headed it into the net to put South Korea ahead.

Afterward, China pushed their defensive line higher in search of an equalizer, but failed to create any meaningful chances, and the match ended with South Korea's 2-1 comeback victory.

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