In a thrilling showdown, South Korea mounted a spectacular comeback to defeat Japan 2-1 in the final of the Asian Games men’s soccer tournament on Saturday, claiming their third successive gold medal in the prestigious event. This victory not only added another accolade to their impressive record but also granted South Korea’s players a highly coveted exemption from mandatory military service.
The dramatic final saw Cho Young-wook emerge as the hero when he netted the winning goal just 11 minutes into the second half. This came after Jeong Woo-yeong had canceled out Kotaro Uchino’s early second-minute opener, setting the stage for a captivating rematch of the 2018 final.
South Korea’s triumph carries with it a monumental reward – the entire 22-man squad will be exempted from the country’s compulsory military service. This exemption opens up promising prospects for the players, enabling them to pursue long and prosperous careers in Europe’s top football leagues.
Among the beneficiaries of this exemption is Paris St Germain’s dynamic attacking midfielder, Lee Kang-in, who received special permission from his French club to compete in the Asian Games. Kang-in’s contribution was vital to South Korea’s success, highlighting the importance of his participation.
Japan took an early lead when Kotaro Uchino capitalized on a swift attacking move in the second minute. Kein Sato’s blistering pace allowed him to outstrip the defense and find Masato Shigemi, who then set up Uchino for the opener.
South Korea, however, responded emphatically. Cho and Jung Ho-yeon both tested the Japanese defense, with Jeong leveling the scores in the 27th minute. Jeong rose above Manato Yoshida to nod in a pinpoint cross from Hwang Jae-won.
Fullback Hwang was instrumental in orchestrating the winning goal, slicing through the Japanese defense before expertly setting up Jeong, whose deft touch paved the way for Cho to seize the lead.
Earlier in the day, Uzbekistan secured the bronze medal with a resounding 4-0 victory over Hong Kong. Khusain Norchaev shone for the Central Asian team, scoring twice in an impressive display that earned them a place on the podium.
South Korea’s triumphant victory not only adds another chapter to their storied soccer history but also offers their players the opportunity to continue their careers on the global stage, with eyes on Europe’s leading football leagues.
