‘Full-time’ Kim Ji-soo (18) will lead the undefeated march of ‘Kim Eun-joong’ again this time.

The Korean national under-20 (U-20) team led by coach Kim Eun-joong will play Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup at the Santiago del Estero Stadium in Argentina on the 5th (hereinafter Korean time).메이저사이트

Korea is on a winning streak, breaking expectations before the opening. In the first round of the group stage, they overcame the ‘championship candidate’ France 2-1. With 1 win and 2 draws, they advanced to the Round of 16 as 2nd in Group F. For the first time in Korea’s U-20 World Cup history, they advanced to the ‘undefeated’ tournament. In the first match of the knockout stage, they defeated Ecuador, the ‘South American ambush’, 3-2. Following the Polish tournament in 2019, he vomited his spirit to reach the quarterfinals for the second consecutive time.

Born in 2004, ‘large center back’ Kim Ji-soo is the core of ‘Kim Eun-joong’ defense. He is the only full-time power of ‘Kim Eun-joong’ in this tournament. Kim Ji-soo came out as a starter in all 4 games of this tournament. He walked the ground without a single substitution. In the group stage match against France, Honduras and Ecuador, he matched with Choi Seok-hyun. In the game against Gambia, he collaborated with Hwang In-taek for a ‘clean sheet’.

Photo = Yonhap News
Kim Ji-soo was the first Seongnam club to register as a semi-professional player last year, and is the youngest player ever to participate in the K-League 1. With a height of 1m92, he dominates the air and has physical fighting skills. Although he is the youngest in the team, it is evaluated that he has leadership skills. Before the tournament, coach Kim said, “I’m one year younger, but on the contrary, I have the best leadership among the center backs on the team.”

The opponent this time is ‘Flying Eagles’ Nigeria. They recorded 2 wins and 1 loss in the group stage. They advanced to the round of 16 after finishing third in Group D, behind Brazil and Italy. Nigeria, who survived the ‘Group of Death’ upset the tournament. The host nation, Argentina, was defeated 2-0.

Nigeria’s greatest weapon is its tight karate balance. Nigeria scored 6 goals and conceded 3 runs in 4 matches in this tournament. Excluding two runs in the final game against Brazil, which was played after the round of 16 was confirmed, it is one run in three games. Even so, it was conceded through a penalty kick. It boasts salty water defense. Conversely, scoring routes are very diverse. Except for one goal of the opponent’s own, all five goals were scored by other players. The key is Jude Sunday, born in 2004. He leads the team’s attack by shooting 15 times, including a goal against Italy. Daniel Bamey and Lilwanu Saki, who attempted the most passes and crosses in Nigeria, are also on guard.

Kim Ji-soo has to fend off Nigeria’s ‘Eight Color Bird’ attack. He must overcome the opponent’s checks. The Nigerian media showed their wariness, calling Kim Ji-soo Korea’s best defender in this tournament.