Japan U.23 vs South Korea U.23
The South Korean U23 team entered the semi-final with a fiery spirit, despite their less-than-smooth path to the next round. However, the message that assistant coach Lee Kyung-soo sent in the press conference before the match against Japan U23 was crystal clear: South Korea will play offensively!
South Korea's U23 team got off to a tough start in this year's tournament. They won only one, drew one, and lost one in the group stage, and only narrowly qualified thanks to Lebanon's unexpected victory over Iran. However, South Korea completely transformed in the quarter-finals. Their 2-1 win against Australia was their most convincing performance of the tournament so far, showcasing their cohesion and ability to capitalize on opportunities.
Assistant coach Lee Kyung-soo of the South Korea U.23 team.
PHOTO: AFC
The South Korean strategy for the upcoming match will be to exploit the gaps behind the Japanese defense and employ a high-pressure pressing style of play. With the advantage of age (the squad includes many 22-year-old players compared to Japan's U.20-U.21 age group) and superior physical fitness, the South Korean U.23 team aims to use strength and speed to break down their opponents' technical style of play.
On the other side of the battlefield, the Japanese U.23 team brought a very young squad to the tournament, mainly consisting of U.20 players and even three 18-year-olds, aiming for the long-term goal of the 2028 Olympics. However, the "Blue Samurai" proved that talent knows no age.
Japan's U23 team won all their group stage matches, scoring 10 goals and conceding none against tough opponents like UAE and Syria. Although they faced difficulties against Jordan in the quarter-finals and only advanced thanks to a penalty shootout, Japan's technical skills and ball control remain formidable weapons.
Ryunosuke Sato, star player of the Japan U.23 team.
PHOTO: AFC
The most notable star of the Japanese U23 team is Ryunosuke Sato, the 19-year-old midfielder from FC Tokyo. With his top-tier playmaking ability (creating 10 chances), Sato will be a key threat that the South Korean defense, especially center-back Lee Hyun-yong, must be wary of. Sato affirmed that while he enjoys scoring goals, he is also willing to play as a team player to help the Japanese U23 team reach the final.
History is calling out for the 2016 final, where Japan came from behind to win 3-2 after being 2-0 down against South Korea. The haunting memories of the past and the traditional rivalry will make this match heated from the opening whistle.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u23-nhat-ban-0-0-u23-han-quoc-vck-chau-a-2026-tran-derby-dong-a-day-duyen-no-185260120172734243.htm
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