Japan paid close attention to ‘Little Taegeuk Warriors’ advancing to the quarterfinals.

The Korean national under-20 (U-20) team, led by coach Kim Eun-joong, played 3 in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup round of 16 against Ecuador held at Santiago del Estero Stadium in Argentina on the 2nd (hereafter Korean time). won by a score of 2. Korea took the lead with consecutive goals by Lee Yeongjun in the 11th minute and Bae Junho in the 19th minute. However, in the 36th minute of the first half, Ecuador’s Justin Quero conceded a goal through a penalty kick, ending the first half with a 2-1 lead. In the 3rd minute of the second half, Korea escaped with Choi Seok-hyun’s header goal from a set piece. Ecuador pursued with Sebastian Gonzalez’s goal in the 39th minute of the second half, but could not cross Korea’s wall. Korea recorded a record of advancing to the quarterfinals in two consecutive tournaments following the 2019 Poland tournament. Also, ‘Kim Eun-joong-ho’ saved Asia’s pride. Japan and Iraq were eliminated in the group stage. Uzbekistan packed up in the round of 16. South Korea is the ‘only’ Asian country among the teams in the quarterfinals.

Japanese media Nikkan Sports said,메이저놀이터 ‘Korea is the only Asian country to step on the stage of the quarterfinals. He went on a winning streak and reached the quarterfinals. Korea had only 26% of the ball possession, but created a chance with a quick break. Scores were added through individual skills and set plays. In Korea, manager Kim Eun-joong, who played for Sendai in the past, is holding the baton. He reported that he scored two goals in 13 league games for Sendai in J-League 1 in 2003’.