'Lee Min-seong's Ace' Eom Ji-sung Explodes, Scores First Goal in Just 7 Minutes at Asian Games... South Korea Takes 1-0 Lead Over Qatar

*This content was translated by AI.

This is the dignity of a wildcard. Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City), a key attacker for Lee Min-seong's team, proved his class by scoring an early goal in the tournament's opening match.

The South Korean men's U-23 national football team, led by coach Lee Min-seong, faced Qatar in the first group stage match of Group D at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at Mizuho Rugby Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, on the afternoon of the 15th at 7:30 p.m.

The hero was Eom Ji-sung. He scored the opening goal just seven minutes after the opening whistle blew.

A precise long pass from captain Kim Ji-soo (Brentford) in the defensive line, sent directly forward, found Eom Ji-sung penetrating behind Qatar's defense. Seizing the opportunity, Eom calmly entered the box and finished with a sharp left-footed shot into the far corner of Qatar's right goal. Kim Ji-soo's incisive pass perfectly matched Eom Ji-sung's penetration and clinical finish.

Coach Lee Min-seong deployed his European-based attackers prominently on this day. Kim Myeong-jun (KRC Genk) was positioned at the front, with Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), wildcards Yang Hyun-joon (Celtic FC), and Eom Ji-sung placed in the second line to form the attack. The midfield was covered by Lee Seung-won and wildcard Lee Gi-hyeok (both from Gangwon FC). The back four defense consisted of Bae Hyeon-seo (Gyeongnam FC), Shin Min-ha (Gangwon FC), Choi Seok-hyun (Ulsan HD), and Kim Ji-soo, while goalkeeper Kim Jun-hong (Suwon Samsung) guarded the goal. Yang Min-hyuk (Westerlo), Park Seung-su (Newcastle United), Lee Hyun-ju (Arouca), and Kang Sang-yoon (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) are waiting on the bench.

For Lee Min-seong's team, aiming for South Korea's fourth consecutive gold medal in football at the Asian Games, this first goal against Qatar carries great significance. In Group D of this tournament, only three teams remain in competition: South Korea, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, after Iraq withdrew. With the match against Saudi Arabia scheduled for the 22nd, South Korea's fate in the group stage will be decided by just two matches. Thanks to Eom Ji-sung's goal, South Korea has taken a favorable position toward advancing to the quarterfinals.

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*This content was translated by AI.