The future of Korean football has reached the round of 16.
The South Korea U-20 football team, led by head coach Kim Eun-Joong, drew 0-0 with ‘surprise team’ Gambia in their third Group F match at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 at the Mendoza Stadium in Argentina on 29 September (KST).
With one win and two draws in the group, including a draw against the Gambia, South Korea finished second in Group F with five points and progressed to the round of 16. It is their third consecutive round of 16 appearance.메이저놀이터
The Gambia, a country of less than 2.5 million people on the west coast of Africa, made a surprise upset of Honduras and France in their first two group games.
With a place in the round of 16 secured before the match, Kim Eun-joong used a partial rotation that excluded goalkeepers Kim Jun-hong (Gimcheon Commerce), Choi Seok-hyun (Dankook University) and Park Seung-ho (Incheon United). Only four of the players from the second leg against Honduras started.
Although there were no goals, the tense flow continued throughout the match. South Korea opened the attack in the 11th minute through Kang Sung-jin, but the first half ended without any further shots. The Gambia threatened twice more in the second half. In the second half, Kang Sung-jin attempted a shot, but it was blocked by the goalkeeper.
In the 12th minute of the second half, Kang Sung-jin threatened again. However, her left-footed shot was saved by the goalkeeper.
Coach Kim Eun-joong brought on Bae Jun-ho and Kim Yong-hak in the 12th minute to increase the level of attack. In the 26th minute, he also brought on Lee Seung-jun, who had a shot on goal that was blocked by the goalkeeper. The Gambia, who boasted a spicy taste of African football, also went home without a goal.
While the victory was not the one they had hoped for, the team did manage to consolidate their strength and avoid Brazil in the round of 16. A partial rotation was used to keep key players fit, and as they finished second in their group, they will face Ecuador instead of Brazil in the round of 16. It’s a satisfying result for a team that will be hoping to go further than the round of 16.