Kim Eun-jung's Gangho Defeats France... U-20 World Cup Round of 16 Bright Signal

Joojang Lee Seung-won Leads Victory with 1 Goal and 1 Assist in 2-1 Win

The under-20 (U-20) World Cup national team lit a green light for advancing to the round of 16 by defeating the 'strong team' France 2-1 in their first match of the 2023 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) U-20 World Cup.

Led by coach Kim Eun-jung, the U-20 team played against France in the Group F first match at the Mendoza Stadium in Argentina on the 23rd (Korean time). Although they were outpossessed with 57% ball possession by France, they secured a 2-1 victory through efficient counterattacks and goal-scoring ability. Captain Lee Seung-won (Gangwon) scored the opening goal and also assisted an additional goal in the second half, delivering an outstanding performance with 1 goal and 1 assist. This was the first time Korea defeated France in the U-20 World Cup. Historically, Korea's record against France in U-20 matches stood at 2 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses.

Coach Kim Eun-jung's team faced France with a 4-4-1-1 formation. Lee Young-jun played as the foremost striker, and Kang Sang-yoon (Jeonbuk) took the shadow striker role. Kang Seong-jin (Seoul) and Kim Yong-hak (Portimonense) handled the left and right attacks, while Lee Seung-won and Lee Chan-wook (Gyeongnam) were responsible for the midfield.

France, considered the strongest in Group F, pressed aggressively from the start. Korea, focusing on defense, scored the opening goal on a counterattack in the 22nd minute of the first half.

Kim Yong-hak broke through the left side with his speed and passed into the penalty area, where the charging Lee Seung-won calmly scored in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. Although the team continued to concede possession to France, they did not concede a goal and ended the first half leading 1-0.

South Korea's U-20 World Cup captain Lee Seung-won scored the opening goal in the Group F first match against France at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup held at Mendoza Stadium in Argentina on the 23rd (Korean time).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In the second half, the team continued to successfully block France's attacks and scored an additional goal from a set piece in the 19th minute. Lee Seung-won delivered a free-kick cross from the left, which Lee Young-jun finished with a header, extending the lead to 2-0.

The team conceded a penalty kick in the 25th minute of the second half due to a questionable referee decision, allowing France to score one goal.

Coach Kim Eun-jung strengthened the defense by substituting defender Choi Ye-hoon (Busan) in the 29th minute of the second half, and the team finished the match with a one-goal victory without conceding any further goals.

This tournament features 24 teams divided into six groups of four countries each. After the group stage, the top two teams from each group and four of the six third-placed teams advance to the round of 16. Korea competes in Group F alongside France, Honduras, and Zambia. The team will play their second match against Honduras at 6 a.m. on the 26th.

The Korean national team has consistently achieved good results in the U-20 World Cup. They made a miraculous run to the semifinals in the 1983 tournament and have reached the quarterfinals three times (1991, 2009, 2013) and the round of 16 three times (2003, 2011, 2017). In the previous tournament, the 2019 Poland World Cup, Korea recorded their best-ever result as runners-up, with Lee Kang-in earning the Golden Ball and top assist provider honors through his outstanding performance.