FOOTBALL – JAPAN defeated a resurgent South Korea 1-0 to advance to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 final yesterday.
Kaito Koizumi’s first half goal proved decisive with Japan moving within a match of not only lifting the trophy for a record-extending third time but also to become the first team to emerge champions in consecutive editions, with China their opponents in the final on Saturday.
Head coach Go Oiwa made five changes to the side that had started against Jordan in the quarter-finals with Shuto Nagano, Koizumi, Yudai Shimamoto, Haruta Kume and Yutaka Michiwaki coming in while South Korea opted for the same 11 who opened their last eight tie against Australia.
The towering Michiwaki had the first big chance of the game in the 11th minute after he was sent through by a great pass from defence by Nagano, but the forward lifted his effort wide of Hong Seong-min’s goalmouth.
Michiwaki was again involved in the next Japan chance 13 minutes later, this time running onto Kosei Ogura’s through pass but his first touch let him down as Hong safely gathered the ball.
South Korea had their first sight at goal two minutes later when Kim Yong-hak got at the end of Kang Seong-jin’s free-kick but saw his header clawed away by Rui Araki.
Hong then tipped the ball over following Koizumi’s swerving cross but it was a momentary reprieve for South Korea.
The ensuing corner saw Japan break the deadlock in the 36th minute, with Koizumi tapping home the rebound after Hong could only parry Nagano’s header.
It was a different South Korea who appeared for the second half with Kang dragging a shot wide from inside the box, Jang Seok-hwan’s effort from distance smacking the bar and before Rion Ichihara having to make a last-ditch block to thwart Kim Tae-won.
Araki then came to Japan’s rescue in the 63rd minute, reacting to parry Kang’s close range volley after his side failed to clear a corner delivery.
Japan, however, regained their composure and despite South Korea’s continued dominance, they stayed defensively firm to move within one match of defending their title.
China went into overdrive in the second half to beat Vietnam 3-0 and book their place in the final.
It was a well deserved victory as China dominated the semi-final, with strikes from Peng Xiao, Xiang Yuwang and Wang Yudong taking them into the final for the first time.
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