Kang Sang-yoon → Lee Ho-jae's debut goal celebration Coach Hong Myung-bo should have scored one or two more goals in the first half. A match between Korea and Japan is a must-win (professional)
Jul 11, 2025
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South Korea won 2-0 with Kang Sang-yoon (Jeonbuk) and Lee Ho-jae (Pohang) debut goals in the second round of the 2025 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship (East Asian Cup) against Hong Kong at Yongin Mir Stadium in Gyeonggi Province on the 11th. Hong Myung-bo, who cooked China 3-0, won two games.
The last remaining match is between Korea and Japan. South Korea will have the final match against Japan at 7:24 p.m. on the 15th at the same place. Japan defeated Hong Kong 6-1 in the first game. The second match against China will take place at 7:24 p.m. on the 12th.
In the end, the team that won the Korea-Japan match lifts the trophy. For men, South Korea is the most winning team (five times). Japan and China each reached the top twice. However, the defending champion is Japan, which won the 2022 tournament. Hong Myung-bo is trying to regain the top spot for the first time in six years since 2019.
Team A coach Hong Myung-bo said after the match against Hong Kong, `We have to win between Korea and Japan to win the championship as a result. I'll focus on winning. Players' conditions are not bad either. I'll prepare well for the rest of the game" he said.
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Lee Ho-jae is famous for being the son of former Seongnam FC coach Lee Ki-hyung. Coach Lee played in 47 A matches and scored six goals when he was active. Lee Ho-jae followed his father's lead 21 years and 9 months after Lee last scored against Nepal in October 2003.
Coach Hong congratulated Kang Sang-yoon and Lee Ho-jae on goals, but called for more effort.
◇Director Hong Myung-bo.
-How do you feel about today's game.
▶There are many new players in the team. In particular, in the first half, it took time to adapt. I made a few tweaks in the second half and it was much better than in the first half. There was pressure for the players to score goals. I should have created more chances. In addition, one or two more goals should have been scored in the first half. Still, I think I did well in the form and appearance of the game.
-Kang Sang-yoon and Lee Ho-jae, who are active in the K League, scored their A-match debut goals.
▶I was able to score in a short time in the A match, so I personally want to congratulate you. Kang Sang-yoon showed a good performance, as we saw today. Lee Ho-jae had a few scenes of isolation. After today or after this competition, you will fully feel how much more you have to grow and work on. Still, I want to congratulate him for scoring his A-match debut goal in a short time.
-What do you think about Na Sang-ho and Kim Tae-hyun who are playing in the J-League.
▶ Kim Tae-hyun is playing his first game, and Na Sang-ho has a lot of experience in the national team before that. Kim Tae-hyun managed the game quite stably. Na Sang-ho played well, filling in the areas he lacked empirically in the offense.
-He is using a three-back, and how consistent he is with the tactical direction going forward. Are you considering going overseas.
▶I will say yes to the second question. It is more important not to play comfortably even if overseas players come, but whether the Korean national soccer team will play with strong tactics at next year's World Cup. The three games of this tournament were decided to be operated in the form of three-back from the beginning, and they are continuing to experiment. The difference between the first and second half was that the players were divided into defense and offensive tendencies. The second half required an attack. Since aggressive tactics are in the same form, I don't think there will be a big problem for overseas players.
-Finally, Korea-Japan is left.
▶As always, the last match against Japan was important for the East Asian Cup. It's still the same now. In the end, you have to win to win the championship as a result. I'll focus on winning. Players' conditions are not bad either. I'll prepare well for the rest of the game.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
