Lee Min-seong-ho already appears to have secured early qualification for the quarterfinals; results of the Saudi Arabia-Katar match on the 18th are under close watch

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Min-seong-ho, aiming for the gold medal in men's soccer at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya (Japan) Asian Games, is poised to secure early qualification for the quarterfinals. If they advance to the quarterfinals, they will play only one additional match after passing through the group stage.

Under head coach Lee Min-seong, the Republic of Korea U23 men's soccer national team secured a decisive 4-1 victory over Qatar in the Group D first match of the tournament held on the 15th at Mizuho Rugby Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. Wildcard player (aged 24 and above) Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City) scored a hat-trick, while Kim Myeong-jun (KRC Genk U23) sealed the win with a crucial goal.

As a result, South Korea has secured a favorable position for advancing to the quarterfinals. A total of 15 teams are participating in this tournament's men's soccer competition, divided into four groups of three or four teams each for the group stage. The top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinal knockout round. Originally, 16 teams were scheduled to participate, but Iraq's withdrawal reduced the number to 15 teams, resulting in one group being formed with only three teams. According to the draw results, Group D consists of South Korea, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Unlike the other three groups, which have four teams each, the teams in Group D play only two matches instead of three during the group stage.

Luck is not the only advantage. South Korea has a one-week break between its first and second group stage matches. After their first match against Qatar on the 15th, their second match against Saudi Arabia is scheduled for the 22nd. While teams in other groups with four members play matches at intervals of three to four days, including those in Group D (Qatar and Saudi Arabia), South Korea alone enjoys a clear physical advantage while playing its group stage matches.

Furthermore, with only three teams in Group D, an early passage through the group stage has become possible. In the Group D match between Saudi Arabia and Qatar scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on the 18th, if Qatar fails to defeat Saudi Arabia, South Korea's qualification for the quarterfinals will be confirmed. Since only the top two teams from the three-team group advance to the quarterfinals, if Qatar does not beat Saudi Arabia, they will finish the group stage with zero or one point. Having already secured three points, South Korea is guaranteed at least second place in the group and will advance to the quarterfinals.

In this scenario, South Korea can significantly reduce pressure ahead of their final group match against Saudi Arabia on the 22nd and prepare early for the knockout stage. The final group match against Saudi Arabia would then carry only symbolic significance as a contest for first place in the group.

Of course, the opposite scenario is also possible. If Qatar defeats Saudi Arabia and South Korea loses its final group match against Saudi Arabia, all three teams will finish with three points each. In such a case, rankings are determined by overall goal difference and total goals scored across all group matches. If points remain tied, head-to-head records, goal difference, total goals scored, fair play points, and finally a draw are used to determine the order.

Meanwhile, according to the Korea Football Association, the Group D winner will face the runner-up of Group C in the quarterfinals, while the Group D runner-up will meet the Group C winner. Group C includes Vietnam, Uzbekistan, the Philippines, and Kuwait. Based on objective team strength, it is highly likely that Uzbekistan will finish first in Group C and Vietnam second, both advancing through the group stage. The quarterfinal knockout round begins on the 25th.

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*This content was translated by AI.