Korea Overcomes Several Crises, Japan and Korea Draw 0-0 in First Half of Final... Japan Already Uses "Substitution Card" Due to Injury Factor [Aichi Nagoya AG]

*This content was translated by AI.

The South Korean Nam Ja-chuk-gu (CEO) team, aiming for a fourth consecutive Asian Games gold medal, completed the first half of the final against Japan without any goals scored.

The South Korea men's under-23 (U-23) national football team, led by coach Lee Min-seong, ended the first half 0-0 in the men's football final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games against Japan, held at Toyota Stadium in Toyota, Japan, on the 3rd.

On this day, Kim Jun-hong (Suwon Samsung) guarded the South Korean goal.

Kim Ji-soo (Brentford), captain Lee Gi-hyuk (Gangwon FC), Uhm Ji-sung (Swansea City), Lee Seung-won (Gangwon FC), Lee Young-jun (Grasshopper Club Zurich), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Choi Seok-hyeon (Ulsan HD), Yang Min-hyuk (Tottenham Hotspur), Bae Hyeon-seo (Gyeongnam FC), and Shin Min-ha (Gangwon FC) started the match.

South Korea actively targeted Japan's goal in the early stages of the game. In the 6th minute of the first half, Uhm Ji-sung attempted a direct shot after a dribble breakthrough. However, the ball went past the goal frame, leaving a sense of regret.

Japan immediately counterattacked. In particular, they threatened South Korea's goal by utilizing set pieces. In the 9th minute of the first half, during a corner kick situation, Japanese captain Ichihara Rion (AZ Alkmaar) jumped high and attempted a header shot. The ball slightly flew over the top of the South Korean goal.

In the early stages of the match, both teams exchanged one threatening shot each, maintaining a tense standoff.

Amidst this, an unexpected variable occurred for Japan. In the 28th minute of the first half, attacking player Enwadike Uche Brian Seo (Aalborg BK) was unable to continue playing due to injury and left the field.

Japan had to use one unplanned substitution card from the start of the final's first half.

However, Japan's offensive pressure did not easily subside even after Uche's injury. Rather, as time passed, South Korea gradually ceded momentum. Unlike the early stages, their attacking development was not smooth, and they struggled to break through Japan's pressure and create threatening scenes in the opponent's territory.

On the other hand, Japan actively utilized set pieces such as corner kicks and free kicks to target South Korea's goal. They continued to pressure the South Korean defense by deploying tall players forward to contest for aerial dominance.

Nevertheless, South Korea maintained its focus and overcame scoring crisis situations.

In the 36th minute of the first half, Japan's Fukunaga Yuya (Kyoto Sangyo University) struck a sharp shot. It was a scene that could have easily led to a goal, but the South Korean defense threw their bodies in to block it, and the deflected ball flowed out beside the goal frame.

Ultimately, both teams failed to score the opening goal, ending the first half 0-0.

South Korea is challenging for the first-ever four consecutive titles in men's football at the Asian Games, following their victories at the 2014 Incheon, 2018 Jakarta-Palembang, and 2022 Hangzhou Games.

On the other hand, Japan aims to reclaim the top spot for the first time in 16 years since the 2010 Guangzhou Games.

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*This content was translated by AI.