'O Sehun Birthday Celebration Multi-Goal' Korea Defeats Uzbekistan to Advance to Quarterfinals as Group 1 Winner

On the afternoon of the 15th (local time) at Thammasat Stadium in Rangsit, Thailand, the final group stage match of the 2020 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship between South Korea and Uzbekistan took place. South Korea's Oh Se-hun scored the winning goal and is celebrating. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] The South Korea U-23 soccer team, led by coach Kim Hakbeom, secured three consecutive wins at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship and advanced to the quarterfinals as the top team in Group C. Notably, Oh Sehun (21, Sangju Sangmu), who celebrated his birthday, marked the occasion with a multi-goal performance.

The South Korea U-23 soccer team won 2-1 against Uzbekistan in the third match of Group C held at Thammasat Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, at 7:15 PM (Korean time) on the 15th, thanks to Oh Sehun's two goals.

After a three-day rest, South Korea is scheduled to play the quarterfinals against the second-place team from Group D at the same venue on the 19th at 7:15 PM (Korean time).

In Group D, with North Korea (two losses) eliminated, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Jordan (both with one win and one draw), and Vietnam (two draws) are competing for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Having secured quarterfinal qualification with two consecutive wins in the previous matches, South Korea started the game with a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Oh Sehun played as the lone striker, with Jung Wooyoung, Jung Seungwon, and Eom Wonsang forming the attacking midfield line. Kim Donghyun and Won Doojae were deployed as defensive midfielders, while Yoon Jonggyu, Jung Taewook, Kim Jaewoo, and Kang Yunseong made up the back four. Song Bumkeun guarded the goal.

South Korea took the lead just five minutes into the first half when Jung Seungwon’s long-range shot deflected off Oh Sehun and opened the opponent’s goal. Initially recorded as Jung Seungwon’s goal, it was later corrected to an assist by Jung Seungwon and a goal by Oh Sehun.

Uzbekistan’s forward Abdikorikov scored a fortunate equalizer in the 20th minute of the first half. The ball flew past goalkeeper Song Bumkeun (Jeonbuk) to a position beyond his reach and crossed the goal line, leveling the score.

On the afternoon of the 15th (local time) at Thammasat Stadium in Rangsit, Thailand, the final group stage match of the 2020 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship between South Korea and Uzbekistan took place. South Korea's Oh Se-hun is scoring the winning goal. / Photo by Yonhap News

In the 19th minute of the second half, Oh Sehun scored the winning goal with a fantastic left-footed shot near the arc. Receiving a penetrating pass from substitute Lee Donggyeong (Ulsan), Oh Sehun spun his body as the ball rolled and connected a left-footed turning shot. Celebrating his birthday, Oh Sehun’s multi-goal performance was a perfect way to mark the occasion.