Why did you put Yang Min-hyuk on? 'This one scene was enough' Japan pressed until the end → ball won → Um Ji-sung's winning goal created by a 'golden cross' [Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games]

*This content was translated by AI.

At the most critical moment, the 'top prospect' Yang Min-hyuk (Vestel) proved his worth. Although he received disappointing evaluations for failing to deliver an explosive performance matching expectations throughout the tournament, a single instance of tenacious play in the fateful Korea-Japan final changed everything.

The South Korean U-23 national football team, led by coach Lee Min-seong, defeated Japan 1-0 in the men's football final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at Toyota Stadium in Japan on the 3rd, thanks to a winning goal by Um Ji-sung (Swansea City) in the 16th minute of the second half.

With this victory, South Korea has reached the top spot for the fourth consecutive time, following the 2014 Incheon, 2018 Jakarta-Palembang, and 2022 Hangzhou Games, writing history by achieving the first-ever four-peat in men's football at the Asian Games.

Against Japan, South Korea extended its dominance in rivalry matches by winning all of the last three Asian Games finals, following victories in the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang and 2022 Hangzhou tournaments.

Yang Min-hyuk was at the starting point of the single goal that decided the gold medal.

South Korea played a difficult match from the first half. In the 6th minute of the first half, Um Ji-sung attempted a shot after a dribble breakthrough, but the ball went wide of the post.

Afterward, South Korea gradually ceded momentum to Japan.

The flow did not change significantly in the second half either. Japan pressed even more fiercely on the South Korean goal.

In the 10th minute of the second half, Yokoama Yumeaki (Cerezo Osaka) fired a threatening shot, but the ball went past the post.

In the 12th minute of the second half, the South Korean defense threw their bodies to barely block Japan's corner kick attack. In the ensuing situation, Japanese captain Ichihara Rion (AZ Alkmaar) attempted a header shot, but this also missed the target.

Japan's offensive pressure continued.

However, in the 16th minute of the second half, South Korea's opening goal erupted, instantly reversing the frustrating flow of the game.

It started with Yang Min-hyuk.

When the Japanese defense possessed the ball on the right flank, Yang Min-hyuk did not give up and stuck to them until the end. After persistent pressure, he eventually won the ball.

It did not end there. Yang Min-hyuk immediately connected a cross into the penalty box. Um Ji-sung, who received the ball, calmly got past the Japanese defender before firing a shot.

The ball went straight into the Japanese net.

It was a 'golden goal' that blew away the frustrating momentum in one stroke. After confirming the goal, Um Ji-sung enjoyed his joy by performing a celebration where he drew a heart with his hand.

Um Ji-sung's calm movement and decisive finishing shone, but at the starting point of the goal was Yang Min-hyuk's pressure that did not give up until the end.

There were also many disappointed looks toward Yang Min-hyuk in this tournament.

Compared to expectations as one of the top prospects representing South Korean football, his characteristic explosive dribbling and attacking power rarely came alive. Disappointing reactions regarding his performance continued among football fans. In the final against Japan as well, he did not show a strong presence until before the opening goal.

But at the most important moment, Yang Min-hyuk blew away all previous disappointments with a single scene.

Yang Min-hyuk is a player who has long been expected to be the future of South Korean football.

He was a key figure driving the Gwangju FC surge in the 2024 season. Yang Min-hyuk, who debuted on the professional stage with semi-professional status, appeared in 38 league matches and recorded 12 goals and 6 assists.

He won the K League Player of the Month award a record-breaking four times Yeon Sok (수상), and after the season ended, he simultaneously secured a spot in the K League 1 Best XI and the Young Player Award, completing a perfect debut season.

Additionally, while playing for Gwangju FC last year in 2024, he received the honor of the Star Award in the football category at the '2024 Futures Star Awards' hosted by StarNews. At the time, commentator Han Jun-hee, who participated as a selection committee member for the award recipients, highly praised Yang Min-hyuk as "the future of South Korean football challenging the world."

And two years later, on the big stage of the Korea-Japan final with an Asian Games gold medal at stake, he proved his worth once again.

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*This content was translated by AI.