The South Korean national soccer team at the U-20 World Cup qualified for the round of 16 a day early thanks to Japan’s loss to Israel.
Coach Kim Eun-joong says the team will be looking to build up their stamina for tomorrow’s match against Gambia.
Reporter Lee Jun-hee reports.
[Report]
Japan took the lead through Isa Sakamoto’s goal in first-half stoppage time.
Despite having a numerical advantage due to an Israeli player being sent off, Japan conceded an equalizer midway through the second half.
Just before the end of the game, they conceded메이저사이트 a theater goal to Omer Senior and suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat.
Japan slipped to third place in the group with one win, two losses, and three points, while Korea, with four points, advanced to the round of 16.
In addition to the first- and second-place teams, the top four teams from each of the six third-place groups will advance to the round of 16.
Even if Gambia loses and finishes third in their group, Korea is already in the top four and has already secured a spot in the round of 16.
In preparation for the round of 16, Coach Kim Eun-joong said that the team will reserve its stamina for the third match against Gambia, the current group leader.
[Kim Eun-joong, U20 coach: “(The Gambia) seems to be a really well-organized team for an African team. I don’t think we need to be physically exhausted if it’s confirmed early.”]
If we finish second in Group F, we will meet Ecuador in the round of 16, but if we finish third in the group, we could meet the world’s strongest team, Brazil.
It’s important to keep the main players’ stamina in reserve, but Kim Eun-joong’s tactical flexibility is crucial when thinking about the round of 16 and beyond.
I’m Lee Jun-hee from KBS News.