South Korea's U-20 national team, which is seeking to advance to the semifinals for three consecutive tournaments, took an uneasy first step.
The U-20 national team, led by head coach Lee Chang-won, lost 1-2 to Ukraine in the first Group B match of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup at Elias Figueroa Brander Stadium in Valparaiso, Chile on the 28th (Korea time). Unfortunately, he couldn't overcome the initial loss and fell to his knees. But there is still a chance. In this tournament, 24 teams will be divided into six groups of four teams, and four teams with good performance among the first, second and third-place teams in each group will win the round of 16. If they win two games, one win and one draw in the remaining games, they can reach the round of 16. South Korea was in the same group with Ukraine, Paraguay (8 a.m. on October 1), and Panama (5 a.m. on October 4).
The national team, which announced its final roster early, left for Chile on the 8th. Lee Chang-won-ho, who tried to adapt to the local area as soon as possible in Santiago, went to the final quenching. He also played friendly matches with Chile and New Zealand in the field 'Hosting Countries'A Group A ambush'. In the meantime, Kim Myung-joon (Henk) was selected as a substitute instead of Kim Joon-ha (Jeju), who was dropped due to injury. The preparation is done. The national team, which succeeded in strengthening its organizational power through more than 15 days of training, moved to Valpiraiso on the 24th, where the match against Ukraine will take place.
South Korea put forward a 4-4-2 formation on the day. Kim Hyun-oh (Daejeon) and Kim Tae-won (Portimonense) came out as two-top players. Baek Min-gyu (Incheon), Choi Byung-wook (Jeju), Jung Ma-ho (Chungnam Asan), and Choi Seung-gu (Incheon) formed the midfield. Four Bags were built by Lim Joon-young (Chungbuk Cheongju), Shin Min-ha (Gangwon), Ham Sun-woo (Hwaseong), and Lee Kun-hee (Suwon). Hong Seong-min (Pohang) defended the goal.
The opponent was Ukraine. Ukraine reached the semifinals of the 2024 UEFA U-19 Championship and secured a ticket to the finals. For South Korea, it is an opportunity to avenge the situation. South Korea tried to win its first FIFA-hosted tournament at the 2019 Poland tournament, but has painful memories of losing to Ukraine 1-3 in the final. It was evaluated as a power to compete with South Korea for the top spot in Group B.
South Korea was dragged around without setting the mood in the beginning. He allowed the first goal in the 13th minute of the first half. Shinchuk (Montreal) shook the Korean net with a powerful left-footed shot from the right side of South Korea. South Korea scored an additional goal in the third minute. Fischer scored with a header at the gate. South Korea were dragged 0-2 in 16 minutes.
Korea has not collapsed like this. In the 37th minute of the first half, side striker Choi Byung-wook fell while competing with a defender in the opponent's goal. The director asked for a video review. FVS operates when a director requests a video review as necessary, unlike VAR, where the referee directly judges with the right to apply for a video review to determine whether the decision is erroneous. Each team can hold the right to apply twice per game, and if the error of the initial decision is recognized, the right to apply remains the same, but if the initial decision does not change, the right to apply will be extinguished. However, the original trial was maintained.
South Korea provided a clue to the rebound through a quick transition, but struggled with Ukraine's organized defense and finished the first half 0-2.
At the beginning of the second half, South Korea has made major changes. Kim Hyun-oh, Baek Min-gyu, Lim Joon-young came out, and Kim Myung-joon, Bae Hyun-seo (Seoul), Son Seung-min (Daegu) entered. He shook Ukraine's net in the 7th minute of the second half. In a free kick situation, Ham Sun-woo succeeded in a diving header. However, the goal was canceled after a video review applied by Ukraine was found to be offside.
South Korea knocked on the Ukrainian goal for the comeback goal. In the 21st minute, Kim Myung-joon's sharp left-footed volley shot was blocked by the Ukrainian defense's hand-to-hand defense. In the 33rd minute, Son Seung-min connected the free kick obtained by Jung Ma-ho with a left-footed shot, but slightly missed the post.
South Korea scored a comeback goal. He scored with a header from a 35th minute corner kick. It hit the goalkeeper's hand, but it fell inside the goal. South Korea, which gained momentum, launched a general offensive. In the 40th minute set piece, Ham Sun-woo connected with a strong header, but was blocked by the goalkeeper.
In the 43rd minute, South Korea went all out without Choi Byung-wook and deployed Baek Ga-on (Busan). In extra time, South Korea tried to equalize with consecutive corner kicks, but no more goals were scored in the end. In the end, the game ended with South Korea's 1-2 defeat.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
