A breakthrough moment! Eom Ji-sung scores the opening goal in the Korea-Japan showdown... Yang Min-hyuk's relentless pressure leads to a composed finish [Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games]

*This content was translated by AI.

He shattered the frustrating flow of play with a single strike. Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City) scored a precious opening goal in the "fated Korea-Japan match."

The South Korean U-23 national football team, led by head coach Lee Min-seong, is leading 1-0 against Japan in the men's football final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at Toyota Stadium in Toyota, Japan on the 3rd, thanks to Eom Ji-sung's opening goal in the 15th minute of the second half.

After finishing the first half with a 0-0 draw, South Korea continued to struggle against Japan's offensive pressure in the early stages of the second half.

In particular, they faced danger by conceding space multiple times on the flanks.

In the 10th minute of the second half, Japan's Yumeki Yokoyama (Cerezo Osaka) delivered a threatening shot. Fortunately, the ball went wide of the South Korean goal.

In the 12th minute of the second half, another dangerous scene unfolded from a corner kick situation. The South Korean defense barely managed to block it with a desperate, body-on-body defensive effort.

Following that sequence, Japan's captain Lion Ichihara (AZ Alkmaar) attempted a header shot. Once again, the ball went wide of the goal, allowing South Korea to breathe a sigh of relief.

As they continued to cede momentum, head coach Lee Min-seong made the first change.

In the 13th minute of the second half, he substituted captain Lee Gi-hyuk (Gangwon FC) for Hwang Do-yoon (FC Seoul), bringing a change to the midfield.

And just two minutes later, the long-awaited opening goal was scored.

It began with Yang Min-hyuk (Vestelo).

In the 15th minute of the second half, Yang Min-hyuk pressed his opponent relentlessly from the right flank until the end, winning the ball back. He then connected a cross into the box, where Eom Ji-sung controlled the ball inside the penalty area, calmly beat the opposing defender, and fired a shot.

The ball went straight into Japan's net.

South Korea, which had been ceding momentum to Japan, completely shifted the flow of the game with a single sharp attack.

Eom Ji-sung, who broke the deadlock in the final, celebrated his goal by drawing a heart shape with his hands after confirming the score, savoring the joy.

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

It was Eom Ji-sung's opening goal that finally broke through after enduring several dangerous moments. South Korea has taken one more step closer to the gold medal.

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*This content was translated by AI.