The South Korean Under-17 (U-17) football team is poised to climb to the top of the Asian Cup after 21 years. Their upcoming semi-final battle with Uzbekistan could pave the way for a possible final against Japan.
Uzbekistan secured its position in the semi-finals by winning 2-0 against Saudi Arabia in the U-17 Asian Cup quarter-finals at the Pathum Thani Stadium in Thailand. The match, scheduled for June 29, 11 PM Korean time, will determine which team progresses to the final.
South Korea displayed formidable attacking prowess in the tournament. After advancing from the group stage as second in Group B with two wins and one loss, the team achieved a remarkable 6-1 victory over Qatar in their first match, followed by a 4-0 triumph against Afghanistan. Despite a goalless defeat against Iran, South Korea bounced back with a convincing 4-1 victory over the host nation, Thailand, in the quarter-finals. This achievement earned the team a spot in the top four and a ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will be held in Indonesia in November. This marks their second consecutive appearance at the prestigious event.
However, South Korea's ultimate challenge lies ahead: achieving their long-desired U-17 Asian Cup victory, a feat they last accomplished in 2002. The team last reached the finals in the 2014 Thai tournament.
Uzbekistan, their semi-final opponent, is a formidable contender, having easily defeated the 'dark horse', Saudi Arabia. In the U-17 head-to-head record, South Korea slightly leads with two wins, two draws, and one loss. However, in their most recent encounter in the U-17 Asian Cup group stage last October, South Korea suffered a 2-3 defeat. Uzbekistan has boasted solid defense in this tournament, allowing only one goal in four games, setting the stage for an exciting showdown against South Korea's powerful offense.
In the other semi-final match, Japan will face Iran. Japan claimed a 3-1 victory against Australia, while Iran edged out Yemen in a penalty shootout. If South Korea beats Uzbekistan and Japan overcomes Iran, it could set the stage for a highly anticipated rivalry match between South Korea and Japan in the final.
U-17 team coach Byun Sung-hwan praised his players' adherence to the team's style and principles, vowing to maintain their football, regardless of external changes.
With the determination of the Asian Cup semi-finalists, the Asian countries competing in the U-17 World Cup have also been decided. Alongside South Korea, Japan, Iran, and Uzbekistan, the host nation Indonesia will compete in the World Cup.