Korea top Group C to reach quarterfinals at U20 Asian Cup

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Korea top Group C to reach quarterfinals at U20 Asian Cup

The U-20 Korean national football team celebrates after beating Jordan 2-0 on Sunday at JAR Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan [YONHAP]

The U-20 Korean national football team celebrates after beating Jordan 2-0 on Sunday at JAR Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan [YONHAP]

 
Korea booked a ticket to the quarterfinals of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup on Wednesday, claiming the top spot in Group C with two wins and one draw.
 
The young Taeguk Warriors recorded a 0-0 draw in their third group stage game against Tajikistan at Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, joining the final eight with zero goals conceded in the group stage.
 
Wednesday’s game proved that Korea’s defense is as firm and steady as it had been in the last two games.  
 
Korea dominated the first half of the game with more possession, but they failed to get on the scoresheet despite multiple attempts.
 
Tajikistan attempted to grab a lead as they found a few chances to score. Goalkeeper Kim Joon-hong, however, made good saves to end the first half 0-0.  
 
Bae Jun-ho, right, dribbles during an AFC U-20 Asian Cup game against Tajikistan in a photo shared on the KFA's official Instagram account on Thursday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Bae Jun-ho, right, dribbles during an AFC U-20 Asian Cup game against Tajikistan in a photo shared on the KFA's official Instagram account on Thursday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

 
Both sides made changes in the second half as they looked to score. Korea reinforced their attack with the likes of Lee Young-jun and Kang Seong-jin, but still could not get that much-needed goal.
 
They attempted multiple shots, but none of them found the back of the net and Moon Seung-min’s shot in the 81st minute hit the crossbar.
 
Faridun Davlatov faced an opportunity to score the winner in the 90th minute but shot wide to squander Tajikistan’s chance to reach the knockout rounds.  
 
Although Korea’s game with the central Asian side ended goalless, they displayed solid attack in their past two games as they scored four against Oman and two against Jordan.  
 
Korea will face the runners-up from Group D, who as of press time were still set to be decided on Thursday evening.  
 
Japan sits on top of the group with six points as of press time, while China is in second with three points as they edge out third-place Saudi Arabia on goal difference.  
 
China will play last-place Kyrgyzstan on Thursday — the same time Japan takes on Saudi Arabia.
 
There is a chance that a Korea-Japan derby could take place in the semifinal if Japan finishes first in the group and both countries win the quarterfinals.  
 
Korea has been crowned as champions in the U-20 Asian Cup 12 times, the most of any team in Asia.  
 
They ended as runners-up in the previous competition in 2018 after losing to Saudi Arabia.  
 
The tournament is biennial and was to take place in 2020, but it was postponed to this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  
 
The last time Korea won the competition was in 2012 when they beat Iraq in the final held in United Arab Emirates.
 
The young Taeguk Warriors have also faced rivals Japan in the final twice, both of which ended with wins for Korea in 1998 and 2002.  
 
Japan, on the other hand, has not been successful in the tournament, having won the title only once in 2016.
 
Korea will play the quarterfinal on Sunday at 3 p.m., or 7 p.m. in Korea. 

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]
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