Korea draw 2-2 with Honduras to hold on to second in Group F

Kim Yong-hak, right, shoots during the U-20 World Cup group stage game between Korea and Honduras at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina, on Thursday. [EPA/YONHAP]

The U-20 national team came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Honduras in their second 2023 World Cup group stage game at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina, on Thursday, losing a chance to secure an early place in the round of 16.

The young Taeguk Warriors, who had beaten top favorite France 2-1 three days before, looked to grab an early lead, while Honduras went all out to secure their first win in the group stage and stay alive in the tournament.

David Ruiz then opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after converting a penalty from the foul committed to Daniel Carter by Choi Seok-hyeon inside the penalty box.

Ruiz, however, received a red card in the 26th minute after hitting Bae Seo-jun’s face, leaving his squad down to 10 men.

Korea nonetheless failed to exploit the outnumbering advantage, despite creating solid chances and ended the first half 1-0.

The young Taeguk Warriors went out more aggressively in the second half but rather conceded another goal to Isaac Castillo, who struck a curling shot in the 51st minute.

They bounced back quickly thereafter, with Kim Yong-hak putting one back in the 58th minute with a shot inside the penalty box, followed by Park Seung-ho’s equalizer in the 62nd minute from a corner for 2-2.

Korea continued to attack to score the winner, but the multiple chances they created did not find the back of the net, ending the game 2-2.

Choi, who looked to score the winner in injury time, was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

With the draw, Korea failed to book an immediate spot in the round of 16 and now have to play against the Gambia to secure a win instead of resting the best XI ahead of a knockout stage appearance.

A victory in the next match is the ideal result for the young Taeguk Warriors, but they could still advance to the knockout stage after finishing third in the group stage, assuming they manage the top four finish among six third-placed teams.

The tournament’s rules stipulate that the four best third-placed teams from the six groups — determined first by the points obtained, goal difference if the points are the same, or the number of goals scored if the goal difference is also the same — also reach the round of 16 with the six group winners and six runners-up.

Meanwhile, Honduras managed to stay alive in the tournament with the draw and revived their hope of reaching their first-ever knockout stage.

The Gambia top Group F as of Thursday, with Korea sitting in second, Honduras in third and France in fourth.

Korea’s final group stage game against the Gambia kicks off on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the same venue as Thursday’s match.

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