Lee Young-jun, Bae Jun-ho, Choi Seok-hyun Score Consecutive Goals
Round of 8 Against Nigeria on the 5th
The South Korean U-20 national soccer team defeated Ecuador to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Led by coach Kim Eun-jung, the team won 3-2 against Ecuador in the round of 16 match held on the 2nd (Korean time) at the Santiago del Estero Stadium in Argentina.
Coach Kim Eun-jung employed a 4-2-3-1 formation against Ecuador. Lee Young-jun (Gimcheon) was positioned at the forefront, with Bae Jun-ho (Daejeon) and Kim Yong-hak (Portimonense) on the left and right wings. Lee Seung-won (Gangwon), Kang Sang-yoon (Jeonbuk), and Park Hyun-bin (Incheon) took the central midfield roles, while the defense line consisted of Park Chang-woo (Jeonbuk), Kim Ji-soo (Seongnam), Choi Seok-hyun (Dankook University), and Choi Ye-hoon (Busan). Goalkeeper Kim Jun-hong (Gimcheon), who missed the third group stage match against Gambia due to accumulated yellow cards, was in goal.
South Korea's U-20 World Cup forward Lee Young-jun scored the opening goal with a powerful right-footed shot in the 11th minute of the first half during the Round of 16 match against Ecuador at the Santiago del Estero Stadium in Argentina on the 2nd (Korean time) at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. [Photo by Yonhap News]
The team quickly gained the upper hand early in the match with stunning consecutive goals by Lee Young-jun (Gimcheon) and Bae Jun-ho (Daejeon). The first goal came just 11 minutes into the first half from only two long passes. The ball was sent long from the defense to the midfield, where Bae Jun-ho received it and immediately broke through the opposing defense line, connecting with Lee Young-jun charging into the penalty area. Lee Young-jun controlled the ball with his chest and executed a right-footed non-stop volley to score the opening goal.
Seven minutes later, an additional goal was scored. Bae Jun-ho, who assisted the first goal, scored himself. At the center of the opponent’s penalty area, Bae Jun-ho displayed calm ball control. He received a pass from Park Chang-woo and used the heel of his right foot to flick the ball past a closely marking defender, then, seeing the goalkeeper rushing out, he adjusted the ball once more before shooting with his right foot to shake the net.
At the 36th minute of the first half, the team conceded a goal due to a questionable penalty decision. After that, Ecuador took control and launched attacks, putting the Korean team under pressure several times, but fortunately, no further goals were conceded, and the first half ended with South Korea leading 2-1.
At the start of the second half, the team immediately dampened Ecuador’s momentum. Just three minutes into the half, they earned a corner kick, and Choi Seok-hyun connected with a header from a cross by Lee Seok-hyun. The ball hit the upper right post and was drawn into the goal.
At the 38th minute of the second half, Ecuador scored again amid a chaotic situation in front of the goal. A fierce battle ensued afterward, but no additional goals were scored, and the match ended 3-2.
Choi Seok-hyun of the South Korea U-20 World Cup team is celebrating after scoring the third goal with a header in the 3rd minute of the second half during the Round of 16 match against Ecuador at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup held at Santiago del Estero Stadium in Argentina on the 2nd (Korean time). Photo by Yonhap News
The team advanced to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive tournament, following their runner-up finish in 2019. They also handed Ecuador their second consecutive defeat. Four years ago, at the U-20 World Cup held in Poland, the South Korean team led by coach Jeong Jeong-yong faced Ecuador in the semifinals. Thanks to a winning goal by Choi Jun (Busan) following a pass from Lee Kang-in (Mallorca), South Korea defeated Ecuador 1-0 and advanced to the final.
South Korea will face Nigeria in the quarterfinals. The match against Nigeria is scheduled to take place on the 5th at 2:30 a.m. at the Santiago del Estero Stadium. Nigeria advanced from Group D of the group stage with Brazil and Italy, recording 2 wins and 1 loss (7 points), finishing third on goal difference. They then defeated Argentina 2-0 in the round of 16.
South Korea and Nigeria have a head-to-head record of 2 wins and 2 losses in U-20 national team matches. They have also met twice in the U-20 World Cup, with one win and one loss each. South Korea won 2-1 in the 2005 tournament but lost 0-1 in the 2013 tournament.
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