Korea has advanced to the semifinals of the prestigious AFC U-23 Asian Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Australia, held at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Goals from Baek Gaon and Shin Min-ha secured the win for Korea in the quarterfinals, while Luka Jovanovic was the sole scorer for Australia.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Korea, as it is their first appearance in the semifinals of the tournament since they last triumphed in 2020. In previous editions, the young Taegeuk Warriors were eliminated in the quarterfinals in the 2022 and 2024 tournaments. In the semifinals, Korea is set to face Japan, who overcame Jordan 4-2 in a penalty shootout to reach this stage.
Despite a bumpy ride through the group stages, where they struggled against their opponents, Korea demonstrated resilience in the knockout rounds. After a disappointing loss to Uzbekistan in the final Group C match, Korea managed to qualify for the quarterfinals thanks to a surprising upset where Lebanon defeated Iran.
Korea started the match against Australia on a strong note when Baek, making his first start of the tournament at just 19 years old, scored in the 21st minute with a well-placed volley. The team’s defensive woes nearly cost them when Australia was awarded a penalty shortly after, but the referee overturned the decision following a video review. The Australians leveled the match early in the second half, only for Shin to clinch the win in the closing moments with a header from a corner kick.
Coach Lee Min-sung expressed gratitude towards his players for their determination throughout the tournament and praised their tactical execution against Australia. He noted the importance of improving their game as they prepare for the semifinal matchup, emphasizing a focus on regaining control in challenging situations.
Baek reflected on the team’s quick recovery after the equalizer, expressing confidence in their ability to bounce back and improve upon previous performances. The young players are optimistic as they gear up for their next challenge against Japan, fueled by their recent success. This hope for continued progress has ignited excitement among fans as Korea seeks to attain another championship title.