Korea Advances to Final with 2-0 Win over Australia... Secures 9th Consecutive Olympic Main Tournament Appearance

On the afternoon of the 22nd (local time), the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship semifinal between South Korea and Australia was held at Thammasat Stadium in Rangsit, Thailand.
In the second half, South Korea's Lee Dong-gyeong (left) scored an additional goal and is seen celebrating with teammates including Lee Dong-jun as he runs toward the corner flag.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Sung-yeol] South Korea's under-23 (U-23) football team defeated Australia 2-0 in the AFC U-23 Championship semifinals to advance to the final. With this, South Korea became the first in the world to secure a spot in the Olympic finals for the ninth consecutive time.

The U-23 football team, led by coach Kim Hak-beom, won 2-0 with goals from Kim Dae-won and Lee Dong-gyeong in the semifinal held on the night of the 22nd (Korean time) at Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand.

Qualification for the Olympic finals was only possible by finishing in the top three after Japan, the host country of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, was eliminated in the group stage.

With the victory on this day, South Korea advanced to the final and secured the Olympic finals qualification on their own merit.

South Korea recorded seven shots in the first half but failed to open the Australian goal.

At the start of the second half, South Korea made an attacking change by substituting Um Won-sang with Lee Dong-jun.

In the 10th minute of the second half, Lee Yoo-hyun rushed in from the right and his mid-range shot hit the left goalpost and bounced out, allowing Kim Dae-won to calmly push the ball into the empty net to score the opening goal.

In the 30th minute of the second half, Lee Dong-gyeong received a headed pass from Won Doo-jae near the Australian defense line and scored the clinching goal with a left-footed mid-range shot.

Afterwards, South Korea locked down their goal and finished the match.

Thus, South Korea will face Saudi Arabia in the final at 7:30 PM local time on the 26th at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Saudi Arabia defeated Uzbekistan 1-0 in the semifinals.