[Asian Games] "Victory Regardless of Reason" Hwang Sunhong Team Goes 'All In' Against Japan

Gold Medal Showdown at 9 PM on the 7th Night
'Seven Goals' Jeong Woo-Young Aims for Top Scorer
"Losing Means Nothing" Eom Won-Sang Injury Variable

"I'm really looking forward to it. Every player came here with that one match in mind." This is the determination of Jung Woo-young (Stuttgart), who led the 'Hwang Sun-hong team' to the men's football final at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. He had long been anticipating the showdown with Japan. "It has been a great motivation, and everyone is very determined. We will prepare well and definitely show a good game."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Led by coach Hwang Sun-hong, South Korea defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 in the men's football semifinal at the Hangzhou Huanglong Sports Center Stadium in China on the 4th. This marks the third consecutive final appearance at the Asian Games following the 2014 Incheon and 2018 Jakarta-Palembang tournaments. On the 7th at 9 PM, they will face their long-time rival Japan at the Huanglong Sports Center Stadium for the gold medal.

South Korea met Japan in the final of the Jakarta Games five years ago and won 2-1. Lee Seung-woo (Suwon FC) and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) each scored a goal. Hwang Ui-jo (Norwich City), who had scored nine goals before, was crowned the top scorer. Jung Woo-young is poised to take over the throne in this tournament. He added two goals that day, leading the scoring chart with seven goals.

South Korea has produced three top scorers in men's football at the Asian Games so far, including Seo Jeong-won (4 goals) in 1990 and Hwang Sun-hong (11 goals) in 1994. Jung Woo-young, who is likely to earn the fourth honor, said, "I will try once to catch Hwang Ui-jo's nine goals."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The final opponent, Japan, is no pushover. In the group stage, they defeated Qatar and Palestine 3-1 and 1-0 respectively, and won decisively against Myanmar 7-0 in the round of 16. In the quarterfinals, they narrowly beat North Korea 2-1, and in the semifinals, even while resting key players, they overcame the surprise team Hong Kong 4-0.

Although the team is mainly composed of university students and considered a second-string squad, the nature of the Korea-Japan rivalry cannot be ignored. Ayase Ueda, who shook the Korean goal as a Hosei University student in the final five years ago, has been playing as a forward for the Dutch powerhouse Feyenoord since August. Underestimating them could lead to big trouble.

Coach Hwang Sun-hong said, "Regardless of the reason, we must win," and vowed, "We will give everything to win the gold medal. We will unite and take the final step together." Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) also said, "No matter how many minutes I play, I will make sure we win." Hong Hyun-seok (Gent) stated, "If we lose to Japan, everything we've done so far will be gone. Losing means nothing. We are only focused on the gold medal."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

There is a variable. Key winger Eom Won-sang (Ulsan) was injured in the 17th minute of the second half. He fell after a strong back tackle from opponent Ibrokhimkhalil Yuldoshev. Continuing the game, Eom Won-sang fell again after being challenged by another player about three minutes later and was substituted by Ahn Jae-jun. Coach Hwang said, "We have done well without major injuries so far, but it seems Eom Won-sang has some injury," adding, "We need to check his condition." Jung Woo-young relayed, "He said his ankle twisted a little," and hoped, "I hope the injury is not serious."

The victory of the Hwang Sun-hong team could greatly contribute to reclaiming second place in the overall standings. On the same day, South Korea added gold medals in mixed archery by Lee Woo-seok (Kolon) and Lim Si-hyun (Korea National Sport University), and a silver medal in men's high jump by Woo Sang-hyeok (Yongin City Hall). In the overall rankings, South Korea is third with 33 gold medals, 45 silver medals, and 70 bronze medals. China leads with 171 gold medals, while Japan is second with 37 gold medals, 51 silver medals, and 59 bronze medals.