U23 of South Korea "Live and Die" defeated Lebanon 4-2 after a close race → First Asian Cup victory... Kang Sung-jin's winning goal

*This content was translated by AI.

The South Korean national soccer team of U23 (under 23), led by head coach Lee Min-sung, won its first victory with its first score of the tournament after a close game.

Lee Min-sung beat Lebanon 4-2 in the second Group C match of the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Asian Cup held at Al Shabab Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at 8:30 p.m. on the 10th (Korea time).

With this, South Korea recorded one win and one draw in two matches. Earlier, South Korea had a 0-0 draw with Iran in the first Group C match. Lebanon has lost two consecutive games following the first match against Uzbekistan (2-3).

Lee Min-sung took out a 4-4-2 formation. Kim Tae-won (Catale Toyama) and Jung Seung-bae (Suwon FC) took the two-top role, while Jung Ji-hoon (Gwangju FC), Lee Chan-wook (Kimcheon Managing Director), Kim Han-seo (Yongin FC), and Kang Sung-jin (Suwon Samsung) formed the midfield. Bae Hyun-seo (Gyeongnam FC), Shin Min-ha (Gangwon FC), Lee Hyun-yong (Suwon FC), and Lee Kun-hee (Suwon FC) played in the four-back, while Hong Sung-min (Pohang Steelers) defended the goal.

South Korea allowed the first goal. In the 13th minute, Leonardo Shaheen shook the net with a right-footed shot after ball trapping while South Korea's defense slipped.

20 min South Korea balanced the game. Lee Hyun-yong scored a header goal by rushing to the gate in a corner kick situation.

South Korea solved the game with a short pass. He used both sides of Jung Ji-hoon and Kang Sung-jin to target Lebanon's defensive cracks. Lebanon quickly attached a ball to the front and aimed for a counterattack. The first half ended with a 1-1 tie.

At the start of the second half, South Korea replaced Jung Ji-hoon with Jung Jae-sang (Daegu FC).

Early in the second half, South Korea scored its second goal. In the third minute, Ali El Paedle's right-footed mid-range shot was inserted into the right corner of the goal.

11 min South Korea caught up again. Jung Jae-sang finished Lee Chan-wook's right foot kick with a header in the corner kick situation. In the 14th minute, South Korea replaced Kim Dong-jin (Pohang) and Kim Do-hyun (Kangwon).

South Korea, which had been driving, succeeded in turning the tables. In the 26th minute, Kang Sung-jin penetrated the bottom of the Lebanese goal with a left-footed shot. Kim Do-hyun's cross through Lebanon's left side was effective. South Korean players, including Kang Sung-jin, celebrated with Kang Sang-yoon (Jeonbuk Hyundai) uniform, which was canceled early due to injury.

South Korea, which was in the mood, widened the game by two goals. In the 31st minute, Kim Tae-won cut the bottom of the right goal with a right footed shot from the gate. South Korea took a 4-2 lead.

Five minutes were given extra time in the second half. Lebanon has lost its will to chase. The game ended in Korea's victory without any extra points.

A total of 16 countries will be divided into four groups to play the group stage, and the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals to compete for the championship.

There are also changes in the cycle of the tournament. The existing biennial method ends with this competition. In the future, it will be changed to a four-year cycle in time for the Olympic year and will also serve as an Olympic qualification. The results of this year's competition have nothing to do with the right to participate in the Olympics.

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*This content was translated by AI.