*This content was translated by AI.
China and Vietnam, which did well at the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Asian Cup, are in a festive mood. But Korea is gloomy.
On the 25th (Korea Standard Time), Beijing Daxing International Airport was covered in a "China Red" wave. Thousands of fans flocked to greet the Chinese team, which advanced to the U-23 Asian Cup final for the first time in history and was the runner-up. Although they lost to Japan 0-4 in the final, the local atmosphere was more joy of achievement than defeat.
According to China's Sohu Dotcom, fans at the airport "didn't even imagine a runner-up." It is a miracle that the team, which had only hoped to pass the group stage, went to the final."
Bouquets and gifts poured into the players at the airport. The players responded to fans' requests for autographs with bright faces. Sohu said, "Second place is not the end, but the beginning," and talked about the hope theory of Chinese soccer.
Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, was also a venue for the festival. Vietnam took third place in this tournament, making a splash. In particular, he beat Asian powerhouse Korea after a penalty shootout in the 3rd and 4th places and finished the competition in 3rd place.
Locally, he paid particular attention to Kim Sang-sik's "brother leadership." When Kim Sang-sik was seen dragging his injured student's wheelchair into the arrival hall, Vietnamese fans cheered that he was a "true teacher." Coach Kim Sang-sik and Vietnamese players, who have used "magic" again following Park Hang-seo in the past, were welcomed by the public.
On the other hand, the atmosphere of the Korean U-23 national team, which returned to Incheon International Airport on the 25th, was heavy. South Korea, led by head coach Lee Min-sung, sought to win the tournament for the first time in six years, but finished fourth.
There were no bouquets, no cheers. The team entered the arrival hall and bowed their heads with a firm look, and had to endure the stinging eyes of some fans. Director Lee Min-sung repeatedly bowed his head in front of reporters, saying, "I'm sorry for disappointing the people."
Korea is no longer at the level of claiming to be the dominant power of Asia. As such, the topography of Asian soccer is changing. While China and Vietnam cheered, Korean soccer took on several tasks, showing its lonely back.
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*This content was translated by AI.
