"Japan has been toppled again!" Korea's men's football team achieves first-ever four consecutive Asian Games titles in history... Um Ji-sung scores winning goal, 'golden roar' in Japan's home turf [Aichi-Nagoya AG]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korean men's football team has once again overcome Japan to stand atop Asia. It was not an easy match, but they held on to the winning goal scored by Um Ji-sung (Swansea City), which began with Yang Min-hyuk (Vestel)'s tenacious pressing.

The Korean U-23 men's national football team, led by coach Lee Min-seong, defeated Japan 1-0 in the final of the men's football tournament at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held on the 3rd at Toyota Stadium in Japan.

With this victory, Korea has reached the summit for the fourth consecutive time, following the 2014 Incheon, 2018 Jakarta-Palembang, and 2022 Hangzhou Games, completing the historic feat of becoming the first team to win four consecutive titles in men's football at the Asian Games.

They also managed to smile again against their destined rival, Japan. Korea defeated Japan in all three recent Asian Games finals, including this tournament, following the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang and 2022 Hangzhou Games.

Korea's goal was guarded by Kim Jun-hong (Suwon Samsung) on this day. Additionally, Kim Ji-soo (Brentford), captain Lee Gi-hyuk (Gangwon FC), Um Ji-sung, Lee Seung-won (Gangwon FC), Lee Young-jun (Grasshopper Club Zurich), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Choi Seok-hyun (Ulsan HD), Yang Min-hyuk, Bae Hyun-seo (Gyeongnam FC), and Shin Min-ha (Gangwon FC) started the match.

Korea actively targeted Japan's goal in the early stages of the game.

In the 6th minute of the first half, Um Ji-sung attempted a direct shot after a dribble breakthrough, but the ball went wide of the post.

Japan immediately counterattacked. In the 9th minute of the first half, from a corner kick situation, captain Ichihara Lion (AZ Alkmaar) jumped high and delivered a header shot. The ball narrowly flew over the Korean goal.

The early game was tense, but as time passed, Korea gradually ceded momentum to Japan.

Japan actively utilized set pieces such as corner kicks and free kicks to pressure the Korean defense.

In the 28th minute of the first half, a variable occurred when Japanese attacking player Enwadike Uche Brian Seo (Aalborg BK) was substituted due to injury. Japan had to use one substitution card earlier than expected, but their offensive pressure did not easily subside.

In the 36th minute of the first half, Fukunaga Yuya (Kyoto Sangyo University) struck a sharp shot. It could have easily led to an own goal, but the Korean defense threw their bodies to block it, and the deflected ball flowed past the post.

Korea overcame several crises and ended the first half with a 0-0 draw.

Japan's offensive pressure intensified in the second half.

In particular, Korea struggled as they conceded space on the flanks. In the 10th minute of the second half, Yokoyama Yumeaki (Cerezo Osaka) fired a threatening shot, but fortunately the ball went wide of the post.

In the 12th minute of the second half, the Korean defense barely blocked Japan's corner kick attack with a desperate physical defense. In the ensuing situation, Ichihara attempted another header shot, but this time it also missed the goal.

As Korea continued to cede momentum to Japan, coach Lee Min-seong made the first change. In the 13th minute of the second half, he substituted out captain Lee Gi-hyuk and brought in Hwang Do-yoon (FC Seoul).

And immediately after, the long-awaited blow struck.

It started with Yang Min-hyuk. In the 16th minute of the second half, 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 winning the ball through persistent pressing, he immediately connected a cross into the penalty box.

Um Ji-sung did not miss it. Having controlled the ball inside the penalty box, Um Ji-sung calmly dribbled past a Japanese defender before firing a shot. The ball went straight into Japan's net.

It was a 'golden goal' that instantly swept away the frustrating flow of the game.

Um Ji-sung celebrated by drawing a heart with his hands, savoring the joy.

Taking the lead, Korea substituted out Yang Min-hyuk and brought in Kang Sang-yoon.

After the opening goal, Korea's attack also came alive. In the 24th minute of the second half, Bae Jun-ho attempted a shot, but it went straight to the Japanese goalkeeper. One minute later, Bae Jun-ho threaded a precise through pass, and Lee Young-jun surged toward the goal, but the ball did not touch his foot at the last moment, failing to result in an additional goal.

Japan also knocked on Korea's goal until the very end.

The most hair-raising moment came in the 34th minute of the second half. Japanese striker Ishii Hisatsugu (Shonan Bellmare) fired a powerful long-range shot from outside the penalty box. The ball struck the Korean goalpost.

It was a trajectory that even Kim Jun-hong would have had difficulty handling. The goalpost saved Korea. Korea was miraculously rescued.

Afterward, Japan became more aggressive in pursuit of an equalizer, but Korea maintained defensive focus until the end. Players threw their bodies to block Japan's attacks and held on to their one-goal lead.

Ultimately, Korea secured four consecutive titles in men's football at the Asian Games.

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*This content was translated by AI.